Sen. Lowe files bill in North Carolina Senate to fund sickle cell programs

A new bill filed by State Sen. Paul A. Lowe, Jr. seeks to enhance programs and services for individuals with sickle cell disease in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 283 on March 13 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Expand Sickle Cell Disease Programs & Svcs.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allocates funds to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to enhance programs and services for individuals with sickile cell disease. Starting July 1, 2025, $1.678 million in recurring funds and $629,873 in nonrecurring funds are designated for fiscal year 2025-26, with similar allocations for 2026-27. The funds will be used for supporting sickle cell medical centers, including establishing a Transition Coordinator position at each center, and for awarding grants to community-based organizations prioritizing support for counties lacking services. Additionally, the funds will support the operations of the North Carolina Sickle Cell Syndrome Program and facilitate statewide dissemination of an evidence-based toolkit to improve emergency department care for sickle cell patients. The bill reflects the statewide increase in sickle cell cases and aims to address the multifaceted needs of this growing population.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Lowe proposed the most bills (11) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lowe graduated from Bishop College in 1985 with a BA and again from Drew University School of Theology with a DMIN.

Lowe, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Earline Parmon.