Fields, Buckner Bill to Create a Sickle Cell Outreach Program Clears Senate

SB24-042 would provide outreach and support to individuals living with sickle cell disease

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, to provide outreach and support to individuals living with sickle cell disease.

SB24-042 would create the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to provide support to individuals living with sickle cell disease. Outreach and support services would be administered by a nonprofit organization contracted through CDPHE.

“Sickle cell disease is a debilitating condition that takes a toll on an individual’s health and quality of life,” said Fields. “Worse, we see disproportionately high rates of sickle cell disease in Black communities. This important program will provide critical outreach to individuals living with sickle cell disease to help connect folks to supportive health care and community services, and will help address long-standing health inequities that remain far too prevalent in marginalized communities across our state.”

“Arie P. Taylor was a trailblazer as Colorado's first female Black representative,” Buckner said. “Creating this program in her name honors her legacy and ensures communities she represented have the support they need to thrive – just as Ms. Taylor envisioned. I’m proud to see this legislation move forward and look forward to seeing how the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program will support individuals and families and ultimately, change lives.”

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells that carry oxygen to stick together after the oxygen is released, causing blockages in the small blood vessels, anemia, and severe pain.

SB24-042 now moves to the House for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.