Mercer Times

Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation appropriating $10,200,000 to establish a three-year sickle cell disease pilot program in New Jersey. The program aims to improve access to care for individuals with sickle cell disease, especially within underserved populations. Governor Murphy expressed his pride in signing the legislation, stating, "This innovative and critical program has the potential to improve health outcomes for underserved populations while ensuring New Jerseyans with sickle cell disease can access the care that they deserve."

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Kaitlan Baston emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "This funding will help increase access to comprehensive and equitable health services for those who need it and help boost awareness and education about this chronic disease." Commissioner of Human Services, Sarah Adelman, highlighted the significance of preventing hospital stays and acute crisis for sickle cell patients through the pilot program to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

The primary sponsors of the legislation, including Senators Shirley Turner and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, as well as Senator Andrew Zwicker and Assemblymembers Herb Conaway, Jr., Raj Mukherji, and Linda S. Carter, emphasized the need to address the challenges faced by sickle cell patients. Senator Turner stated, "This legislation is a good first step towards eliminating discriminatory treatment practices, improving the quality of life of sickle cell patients, and getting patients the care they need and deserve."

Assemblywoman Linda Carter expressed the significance of the program, saying, "At its core, this program serves as a testament to our commitment in establishing comprehensive care and research that will help the countless individuals whose lives have been impacted by Sickle Cell Disease." Assemblyman Herb Conaway highlighted the importance of breaking down racial disparities in healthcare systems, stating, "The legislation being signed into law today is an important step, not only in connecting patients to the care they need, but also in breaking down the racial disparities that are too often present in our health care systems."

Mary Bentley LaMar, founder and Executive Director of The Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey, expressed enthusiasm for the pilot program, stating, "With this pilot program, a strong network of appropriate care will be more accessible to individuals living with this devastating blood disorder." Mariah Jacqueline Scott, a sickle cell warrior and researcher, shared her personal experience, saying, "To have the opportunity to witness this bill being signed into law paves the road to improving the quality of healthcare and ultimately enhancing the lives for sickle cell warriors and their families."

The establishment of the sickle cell disease pilot program in New Jersey represents a significant step towards providing comprehensive care and support for individuals living with the condition.