High-cost sickle cell gene therapies push insurers and Medicaid programs to find new payment models

1. New gene therapies for sickle cell approved, offering hope to many patients. 2. Vertex's Casgevy costs over $2 million; Bluebird's Lyfgenia exceeds $3 million. 3. Only about 100 patients have received treatments since FDA approval last year. 4. Insurance challenges exist, particularly with high costs of gene therapies. 5. Medicaid affordability remains a concern with rising treatment costs.