Bill > HB178

This bill mandates the Maryland Department of Health to establish three specialized clinics for sickle cell disease management and treatment, located in Montgomery County, Harford County, and on the Eastern Shore, operating under a hub-and-spoke model to provide comprehensive care including routine services, pain management, genetic counseling, mental health support, and patient education, with a focus on ensuring access to specialists through telehealth or on-site visits, and collaborating with community providers and organizations to address social determinants of health such as transportation and housing. Additionally, the bill requires the Governor to include a $6,138,000 appropriation in the fiscal year 2028 budget to fund these clinics' operations, staffing, training, and social support services, with a portion of these funds allocated to community-based and nonprofit sickle cell disease organizations to enhance patient outreach, education, and support services, particularly for the transition from pediatric to adult care. The Department will also establish a scholarship program for medical residents specializing in classical hematology with a focus on sickle cell disease, offering financial assistance in exchange for a commitment to practice in Maryland after their residency, and will prioritize federal funding for this program. Finally, the Department is required to report annually to the General Assembly on the clinics' operations, patient outcomes, impact on health disparities, utilization rates, and the implementation of telemedicine.