MD HB178

Maryland Department of Health must establish three specialized sickle cell disease clinics in Montgomery County, Harford County, and an Eastern Shore county, operating under a hub-and-spoke model with a central care hub

Clinics must provide routine care, pain management, genetic counseling, mental health services, and patient education, with access to specialists via telehealth or on-site visits

Governor must include $6,138,000 in the FY 2028 budget for clinic operations, staffing, training, and social support services, with a portion allocated to community-based and nonprofit sickle cell organizations

Department must establish a scholarship program for medical residents specializing in classical hematology with a sickle cell focus, requiring recipients to practice in Maryland for a minimum period after completing training

Annual reports to the General Assembly required by December 1, covering clinic operations, patient outcomes, health disparities reduction, and telemedicine implementation; effective date October 1, 2026