Georgia passes Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act, awaiting governor's signature

On the final day of Georgia's 2026 legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 334, the Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act, which would require annual state reviews of emerging sickle cell treatments and now awaits Gov. Brian Kemp's signature.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 334 on the final day of Georgia's 2026 legislative session. The measure is known as the Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act. It would require the Georgia Department of Community Health to conduct annual reviews of emerging sickle cell treatments to help keep Medicaid coverage aligned with medical advances. The bill now awaits the governor's signature. Key details: - House Bill 334 was authored by State Rep. Omari Crawford (D-Decatur) and cleared both chambers of the legislature. - The bill would require the Georgia Department of Community Health to conduct annual reviews of emerging sickle cell treatments to inform Medicaid coverage. - Supporters say the measure could directly affect nearly 15,000 Georgians living with sickle cell disease, a patient population the article reports is among the largest in the country. - HB 334 includes a public health education element that would require childcare centers to provide parents with information about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), noting risks for children with underlying conditions like sickle cell disease. - The article notes rapid medical innovation for sickle cell disease, including gene therapies, and reports that advocates view access—especially for Medicaid patients—as a continuing challenge. Summary: If Gov. Brian Kemp signs the bill, it would formalize regular state reviews of treatments and could influence Medicaid coverage decisions as new therapies emerge. HB 334 now heads to the governor's desk for final approval.