Every minute matters when a patient is hemorrhaging and timely access to blood transfusions following traumatic injury has been proven to save lives. Research shows that for patients in severe hemorrhage, mortality risk increases by as much as 5% for every minute blood transfusion is delayed. Providing blood before a patient reaches the hospital – in the field where injury occurs – saves lives that would otherwise be lost.&nbsp;
The evidence is clear, and the need is urgent. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for individuals ages 1 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death following severe injury, and tragically, up to 56% of these patients die before ever reaching a hospital. Prehospital blood transfusion programs directly address that gap.&nbsp;
Yet, two significant barriers continue to limit the expansion of pre‑hospital blood transfusion programs. Medicare reimbursement does not adequately cover blood product use by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, making programs financially unsustainable for many systems. Inconsistent state and local licensure requirements restrict paramedics’ scope of practice, preventing trained providers from delivering proven, lifesaving care.&nbsp;
I urge you to support policy reforms that expand access to life‑saving pre‑hospital blood transfusions, including addressing Medicare reimbursement gaps and supporting greater consistency in EMS scope of practice standards. These are practical, evidence-based steps that will improve survival rates and save lives. &nbsp;
Thank you for your attention to this important issue and for your continued commitment to strengthening America’s blood supply. I appreciate your leadership and look forward to your response.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ask Congress to Expand Access to Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusions

Every minute matters when a patient is hemorrhaging and timely access to blood transfusions following traumatic injury has been proven to save lives. Research shows that for patients in severe hemorrhage, mortality risk increases by as much as 5% for every minute blood transfusion is delayed. Providing blood before a patient reaches the hospital – in the field where injury occurs – saves lives that would otherwise be lost. 

The evidence is clear, and the need is urgent. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for individuals ages 1 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death following severe injury, and tragically, up to 56% of these patients die before ever reaching a hospital. Prehospital blood transfusion programs directly address that gap. 

Yet, two significant barriers continue to limit the expansion of pre‑hospital blood transfusion programs. Medicare reimbursement does not adequately cover blood product use by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, making programs financially unsustainable for many systems. Inconsistent state and local licensure requirements restrict paramedics’ scope of practice, preventing trained providers from delivering proven, lifesaving care. 

I urge you to support policy reforms that expand access to life‑saving pre‑hospital blood transfusions, including addressing Medicare reimbursement gaps and supporting greater consistency in EMS scope of practice standards. These are practical, evidence-based steps that will improve survival rates and save lives.  

Thank you for your attention to this important issue and for your continued commitment to strengthening America’s blood supply. I appreciate your leadership and look forward to your response.