CMS model targets Medicaid access to gene therapies for sickle cell disease
The Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model, which seeks to increase access to treatments for Medicaid enrollees with rare and severe diseases, will initially focus on sickle cell disease, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services . The genetic blood disorder affects over 100,000 Americans, most of whom are Black and at least half of whom are enrolled in Medicaid. The model will begin in 2025.
鈥淕ene therapies for sickle cell disease have the potential to treat this devastating condition and transform people鈥檚 lives, offering them a chance to live healthier and potentially avoid associated health issues,鈥 said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. 鈥淚ncreasing access to these promising therapies will not only help keep people healthy, but it can also lead to savings for states and taxpayers as the long-term costs of treating sickle cell disease may be avoided.鈥