The legislature hereby finds that sickle cell patients who need care for sickle cell disease and other health conditions often face lengthy wait times for that care, and that these wait times contribute to poor health outcomes and excess morbidity and mortality among populations that are impacted by sickle cell disease. The legislature further finds that sickle cell patients may face greater barriers in accessing the necessary care for their disease after reaching the age of majority or aging out of health coverage furnished through the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program. Therefore, the secretary of the department shall take such actions as are necessary to support the facilitation of care coordination for sickle cell patients, assist in reducing the wait times to access healthcare services, and assist in promoting continuity of care for young people who age out of Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage.

            Acts 2022, No. 647, §2.