For many people in the sickle cell disease (SCD) community, the journey has been full of challenges. These challenges come not just from the disease, but also from a healthcare system that has often overlooked or mistreated them. Now, things are starting to improve.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the Budget Act of 2026 (AB 109), which sets aside $30 million over five years for Networking California for Sickle Cell Care (NCSCC). The funding starts with $6 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year and will support the California Department of Public Health and the state’s Sickle Cell Centers of Excellence.
This funding is a big win for the more than 1,000 patients who get care through the NCSCC, a program created by and for the community. By moving away from repeated emergency room visits and focusing on coordinated, ongoing care, the program has already made a difference. Adults with SCD in the program now have a median life expectancy of 54 years, up from 43 years.