25 LC 57 0194
House Bill 334
By: Representatives Crawford of the 89
th
, Oliver of the 84
th
, Au of the 50
th
, Willis of the 55
th
,
Westbrook of the 163
rd
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
1
relating to medical assistance generally, so as to require the Department of Community2
Health to conduct an annual review of medications and treatment for sickle cell disease for3
Medicaid recipients; to provide for public input; to provide for an annual report; to provide4
for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other5
purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act."9
SECTION 2.10
Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to11
medical assistance generally, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:12
"49-4-159.5.
13
(a) The department shall conduct an annual review of all medications, forms of treatment,14
and services that are eligible for coverage under the Medicaid program for Medicaid15
H. B. 334
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recipients with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease. The purpose of the annual review shall16
be to determine if the available covered medications, treatments, and services are adequate17
to meet the needs of Medicaid recipients with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease, and18
whether the department should seek to add additional medications, treatments, or services.19
(b) When conducting the annual review required by this Code section, the department shall20
solicit and consider input from the general public, with specific emphasis on attempting to21
receive input from persons or groups with knowledge and experience in the area of sickle22
cell disease treatment.23
(c) On or before January 15 of each year, the department shall submit a report to the24
presiding officers of each house of the General Assembly, who shall forward a copy of the25
report to the chairperson or chairpersons of the appropriate standing committee or26
committees in each house that details the department's findings from the annual review27
required by this Code section, as well as any recommendations based upon such findings. 28
The department shall publish the annual report required by this subsection to its public29
website."30
SECTION 3.31
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.32
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