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SB 813

Sickle Cell Coordinated Access Network; established.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Luther Cifers and 10 co-sponsors

Virginia establishes a coordinated care network for sickle cell disease patients to improve healthcare access and service coordination across providers and support systems.

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Bill Summary · SB 813

Legislative bill overview

SB 813 establishes a Sickle Cell Coordinated Access Network in Virginia to improve care coordination and access to services for individuals with sickle cell disease. The bill creates a framework for networking healthcare providers, patient resources, and support systems to address the medical and social needs of this patient population.

Why is this important

Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects African Americans and carries significant health complications including pain crises, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy. Coordinated care networks have demonstrated improved outcomes in managing chronic conditions, potentially reducing emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and improving quality of life for patients with limited access to specialized care.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms: The fiscal impact statement suggests state resource allocation; taxpayers and budget hawks may question costs versus benefits and whether existing healthcare infrastructure could absorb these functions
  • Scope and implementation: Unclear whether the network is advisory or mandatory for participating providers, which affects buy-in from healthcare systems and potential regulatory burden
  • Equity and access: Debate over whether a coordinated network adequately addresses underlying disparities in healthcare access or if it risks creating a parallel system that fragments rather than integrates care

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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