Bill Text: PA HR285 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Calling upon the Department of Health to conduct a study determining the accessibility and effectiveness of sickle cell services currently provided by the Department of Health and need for additional services to meet the needs of people afflicted with sickle cell disease in this Commonwealth.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 31-8)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-09-27 - Removed from table [HR285 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR285-Introduced.html

---

PRINTER'S NO. 1724
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 285 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY JOHNSON, BROWN, BISHOP, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BUXTON, CLYMER, DALEY, DePASQUALE, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KULA, MANDERINO, MARKOSEK, MELIO, MURPHY, MURT, PALLONE, PARKER, PAYNE, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, WATERS, WHEATLEY, PHILLIPS, COHEN AND YOUNGBLOOD, MAY 4, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, MAY 4, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Calling upon the Department of Health to conduct a study
determining the accessibility and effectiveness of sickle
cell services currently provided by the Department of Health
and need for additional services to meet the needs of people
afflicted with sickle cell disease in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, It is the duty of the House of Representatives to
enhance the health and welfare of all citizens of this
Commonwealth by the orderly and economic distribution of sickle
cell disease treatment sources to ensure access and to make the
delivery system responsive and adequate to the needs of its
citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Health should foster a sound
sickle cell disease treatment system which provides quality care
at accessible facilities located throughout this Commonwealth,
evaluates potential providers on quality of care issues and
monitors the demand for, supply of and use of services to ensure
that treatment needs are met; and
WHEREAS, The Sickle Cell Disease Program administrated by the
Department of Health has providers in Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia at major medical centers specializing in the
treatment of the disease in children and adults; and
WHEREAS, The Sickle Cell Disease Program provides
psychological and educational services through community-based
organizations located in certain regions of this Commonwealth,
but some regions lack medical, psychological and educational
services altogether; and
WHEREAS, Despite many attempted treatments for sickle cell
disease, there is currently no universal cure; and
WHEREAS, Various approaches are being sought to prevent
sickling episodes, as well as the complications of sickle cell
disease; and
WHEREAS, There is a tremendous need for educating people
about this tragic illness, and especially the need for testing
prior to pregnancy as an essential component of preventing new
cases of children with sickle cell disease; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call upon the
Department of Health to conduct a study of the conditions,
needs, issues and problems related to sickle cell disease and
its treatment, the effectiveness of the Sickle Cell Disease
Program and to recommend any actions or legislation which the
department deems necessary or appropriate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Health be called upon to
report to the House of Representatives no later than six months
after the adoption of this resolution on its activities,
findings and recommendations to make the availability and
accessibility of this type of care as uniform as possible across
the diversity of this Commonwealth.
20090HR0285PN1724 - 2 -