March 24, 2026
Mr. Vindman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program under which the Secretary will collect data with respect to sickle cell disease in the United States, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Candis King Hope for Sickle Cell Families Act
.
Sec. 2. Sickle Cell Data Collection program
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (in this Act referred to as the Secretary
), shall carry out a program under which the Secretary will collect data on the incidence and prevalence of sickle cell disease in the United States, to be known as the Sickle Cell Data Collection program, through awarding grants to States for the following purposes:
(1)
To collect and maintain data on sickle cell disease to gain a better understanding of the incidence and prevalence of sickle cell disease in the United States, the demographics of individuals in the United States living with sickle cell disease, and the healthcare utilization patterns of individuals in the United States living with sickle cell disease.
(2)
To collaborate with other entities who received grants under the Sickle Cell Data Collection program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for purposes of increasing the standardization of methods for sickle cell disease surveillance.
(b) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program referred to in subsection (a), $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Sec. 3. Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall reinstate any covered employee of the Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(b) Covered employee defined
In this section, the term covered employee means an employee of the Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who was removed on or after January 1, 2025, under any agency action (including any reduction in force conducted pursuant to subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 5, United States Code or any agency reorganization) that provides for the removal of 3 percent or more of the total number of employees at such Division within a 60-day period.