<p><span style="color: rgb(71,85,105);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 14px;font-family: Inter, sans-serif;">This January, as we recognize National Blood Donor Month, we call upon Congress to bolster its support for America's blood supply. Join us in advocating to ensure blood products remain available for all patients in need - not only this month, but throughout the year.</span>&nbsp;</p>


Advocating During National Blood Donor Month and Beyond: Priorities for Strengthening America's Blood Supply

Take Action: Urge Congress to Support the Blood Supply Throughout National Blood Donor Month and Beyond

Advocate for a strong and diverse blood supply and ensure blood products remain available for all patients in need

As we observe National Blood Donor Month, I urge you to take significant actions to strengthen the nation's blood supply and ensure that all individuals have access to life-saving blood when needed. There are several key priorities that require your attention, particularly in light of the changing landscape of blood donation and transfusion medicine.

First, I ask for your leadership in supporting the necessary federal funding to help blood centers reach out to and welcome newly eligible donors. The recent changes in donor deferral criteria by the FDA have affected the eligibility of hundreds of thousands of people, including many veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community. To address this, I ask that you introduce legislation to provide targeted federal funding for blood centers, allowing them to amplify education and awareness efforts locally.

Second, it is crucial to focus on the timely availability of blood transfusions in emergency situations. Time is of the essence following traumatic injuries, and studies have shown that delays in access to blood can significantly impact patient outcomes. Therefore, I urge you to introduce legislation to establish a demonstration program through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to examine and expand the use of pre-hospital blood transfusions, removing existing barriers and potentially saving more lives.

Third, recognizing the importance of donor diversity, I encourage you to introduce legislation to create a pilot program providing grant funding to blood centers nationwide. This program would help attract more diverse and younger blood donors while increasing the testing required to find closely matched blood for minority populations. It is imperative to have a blood supply that reflects the diversity of the nation it serves.

Finally, I encourage you to take action to expand the availability of blood transfusions within the Medicare hospice program. This is essential to ensuring that all patients can benefit from holistic end of life care, without sacrificing the quality-of-life blood transfusions provide. I urge you to introduce legislation to establish a demonstration program through CMMI to allow reimbursement for palliative blood transfusions outside of the hospice benefit.

Thank you for your leadership during National Blood Donor Month and beyond to support and strengthen America’s blood supply. I look forward to your response.

Take Action: Urge Congress to Support the Blood Supply Throughout National Blood Donor Month and Beyond

Advocate for a strong and diverse blood supply and ensure blood products remain available for all patients in need

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Dear Office Holder (names will be automatically added on each email),