house resolution no.167
Rep. Neeley offered the following resolution:
Whereas, September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month; and
Whereas, Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited blood disorders affecting approximately 100,000 children and adults in the nation. One in 365 African Americans and 1 in 16,300 Hispanics have sickle cell disease; and
Whereas, There are more than 2,800 patients with sickle cell disease in Michigan; and
Whereas, Sickle cell disease is a complex genetic disease involving multicellular adhesion between red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and endothelial cells, resulting in vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs); and
Whereas, VOCs are the hallmark of sickle cell disease. These recurrent episodes induce severe pain, decrease qualify of life, can cause life-threatening complications, including stroke, and are the primary cause of hospitalizations in sickle cell disease, and are associated with increased mortality; and
Whereas, VOC is the number one reason that patients with SCD visit the emergency room or are hospitalized; and
Whereas, The estimated annual medical costs for SCD exceed $1.1 billion in the United States. Eighty percent of overall treatment costs are attributable to inpatient costs and $356 million in estimated annual costs for emergency room visits; and
Whereas, High Medicaid costs stem from “super utilizers”, patients with more than four hospital visits per year. SCD was the fifth most common diagnosis among Medicaid “super utilizers”; and
Whereas, Access to care may be challenging for patients with sickle cell disease. Due to a lack of physicians experienced in treating sickle cell disease, many young adults transitioning from pediatric care seek treatment in emergency settings; and
Whereas, Only two medications have been approved to treat complications of SCD and more needs to be done to improve the quality of care for patients with SCD; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 22-28, 2019, as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Week in the state of Michigan. We urge increased awareness to the problems caused by sickle cell disease.