Your Voice Matters: Take Action Now 
This isn't just a problem for blood banks – having blood available in ambulances could be the difference between life and death for you or someone you love. That's why we need your help. Here's what you can do:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Contact your representatives: Write to your senators and congressional representative. Urge them to introduce legislation that ensures coverage of pre-hospital blood transfusions in federal insurance programs like TRICARE and Medicare.</li>
<li>Spread awareness: Share this with friends and family. The more people understand the issue, the more pressure we can put on decision-makers.</li>
<li>Support local EMS: Advocate for your local emergency medical services to explore implementing pre-hospital blood transfusions.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Share your story: If you or someone you know has been impacted, consider sharing your experience. Personal stories can be powerful motivators for change.</li>
</ul>

Support Reforms to Expand the Use of Blood in Ambulances

Improve access to blood transfusions in ambulances before patients even get to the hospital to save patients and improve outcomes.  

Trauma is a leading cause of death in the United States, and timely blood transfusions can mean the difference between life and death. Extensive research demonstrates that administering blood transfusions as soon as possible after a traumatic injury significantly improves patient outcomes. Prehospital blood transfusions can also benefit patients with medical conditions that result in severe bleeding, such as postpartum hemorrhage or aortic and brain aneurysms. However, a critical gap exists in our emergency medical services: most patients don't receive their first transfusion until they reach the hospital, regardless of transport time. Despite these findings, significant barriers currently prevent patients from receiving the blood they need quickly. Currently, less than 2 percent of EMS agencies carry blood for transfusion in an ambulance or on the scene of an emergency. The reason for this low adoption of a life-saving treatment is outdated payment policies and scope of practice laws. But the result is dangerous inequity in patient care, where access to potentially life-saving treatment depends on geography and funding rather than medical necessity. 

EMS agencies that carry blood are those that receive grant funding, are supported by local taxation, or are funded by an organization that is capable of absorbing the costs of the equipment, materials and training needed. Currently, Medicare, TRICARE, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans do not cover the cost of providing blood on ambulances. Outdated bundled payment rates are insufficient to cover the cost of the necessary infrastructure and blood components required for transfusions. This oversight creates a financial barrier that is insurmountable for many emergency medical services where blood transfusions could have the greatest impact, preventing them from implementing this crucial capability.  

TRICARE, the uniformed services health care program for active duty service members (ADSMs), active duty family members (ADFMs), National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, and their families. Although the US Military is a pioneer in rapid in the field transfusions, TRICARE does not provide payments sufficient to cover the cost of life saving blood for beneficiaries injured off the battlefield. As a result, DoD faces the increased costs for the episode of care, increased disability costs, and increased survivor benefits. 

I am asking you to introduce legislation to establish coverage of pre-hospital blood for those in in federal insurance programs such as Tri-Care. By increasing the coverage of pre-hospital blood, more areas will be able to offer this service and save the lives of your constituents.  

Thank you for your focus on this matter and for making strengthening America’s blood supply a national priority. I look forward to your prompt reply.

Support Reforms to Expand the Use of Blood in Ambulances

Improve access to blood transfusions in ambulances before patients even get to the hospital to save patients and improve outcomes.

Message

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