This amendment provides $145,000 each year from the general fund to increase access to pediatric treatment for Sickle Cell Disease. In fiscal year 2007, state funding for the program was at $450,000. However, state budget cuts continued to reduce the program funding until it reached its current funding of $305,000. The number of sickle cell patients/clients has increased and the program has not been able to provide all of the services to all of the clients that they were able to provide in the past. This funding reflects the growth in the costs of services and will allow more clients to be served.