S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6431
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 17, 2021
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Introduced by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the
"Sickle Cell Treatment Act"; and making an appropriation therefor
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Sickle
Cell Treatment Act".
§ 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2807-aa
to read as follows:
§ 2807-AA. SICKLE CELL CENTERS FOR EXCELLENCE AND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT
CENTERS. 1. CENTERS FOR SICKLE CELL CARE EXCELLENCE. THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL DESIGNATE FIVE GENERAL HOSPITALS OR HOSPICES UNDER ARTICLE FORTY
OF THIS CHAPTER, UPON SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION, AS CENTERS FOR SICKLE CELL
CARE EXCELLENCE. THE DESIGNATIONS SHALL BE MADE THROUGH AN APPLICATION
DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND BASED ON SERVICE, STAFFING AND OTHER
CRITERIA AS DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSIONER. THE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
SHALL PROVIDE SPECIALIZED SICKLE CELL DISEASE CARE, TREATMENT, PALLIA-
TIVE CARE, EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES AND SHALL CONDUCT SPECIALIZED
RESEARCH INTO THE CARE, TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE.
DESIGNATION AS A CENTER FOR SICKLE CELL CARE EXCELLENCE SHALL NOT ENTI-
TLE A CENTER TO ENHANCED REIMBURSEMENT, BUT MAY BE UTILIZED IN OUTREACH
AND OTHER PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES. EACH CENTER FOR SICKLE CELL CARE
EXCELLENCE SHALL AFFILIATE AND COOPERATE WITH MAJOR CENTERS OF HIGHER
LEARNING, INCLUDING MEDICAL COLLEGES, AND LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH INSTI-
TUTES IN THE STATE. THE STATE UNIVERSITY SHALL ENTER INTO APPROPRIATE
LEGAL AGREEMENTS TO ENABLE THIS COOPERATION. EACH CENTER FOR SICKLE CELL
CARE EXCELLENCE SHALL RECEIVE TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR FROM
THE DEPARTMENT, FROM AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR THAT PURPOSE, TO BE USED
ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE RESEARCH.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08525-01-1
A. 6431 2
2. OUTPATIENT TREATMENT CENTERS. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE TEN
HOSPITALS, DISTRIBUTED BASED ON SICKLE CELL PATIENT POPULATION CONCEN-
TRATIONS, AS SICKLE CELL OUTPATIENT TREATMENT CENTERS WHICH SHALL
PROVIDE PATIENTS TREATMENT FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE AS AN OUTPATIENT.
EACH SICKLE CELL OUTPATIENT TREATMENT CENTER SHALL RECEIVE ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT, FROM AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED
FOR THAT PURPOSE, TO BE USED TO ENSURE THE PROPER MANAGEMENT AND EQUIP-
PING OF THE CENTERS TO CARE FOR SICKLE CELL PATIENTS.
§ 3. Subdivision 8 of section 3331 of the public health law, as added
by section 7-a of part D of chapter 57 of the laws of 2018, is amended
to read as follows:
8. No opioids shall be prescribed to a patient initiating or being
maintained on opioid treatment for pain which has lasted more than three
months or past the time of normal tissue healing, unless the medical
record contains a written treatment plan that follows generally accepted
national professional or governmental guidelines. The requirements of
this paragraph shall not apply in the case of patients who are being
treated for cancer OR SICKLE CELL DISEASE that is not in remission, who
are in hospice or other end-of-life care, or whose pain is being treated
as part of palliative care practices.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.