Both expanding access to prehospital blood transfusions and to blood transfusions within the Medicare hospice program are priorities of America’s Blood Centers’ (ABC) advocacy efforts and Advocacy Agenda. Recently, prehospital blood and hospice care legislation has been introduced in Congress supporting each initiative. The prehospital blood legislation introduced aims to enhance healthcare access and outcomes.
Representatives Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) introduced a bipartisan bill named “The Modernizing EMS Delivery and Sustainability (MEDS) Act (H.R. 3443).” This bill includes a provision that creates a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) demonstration program to evaluate a separate payment model for blood products, potentially increasing their availability and use in EMS settings, particularly in rural areas. The prehospital blood legislation that has been introduced aims to significantly increase the availability and use of blood products in trauma situations before a patient reaches the hospital. ABC strongly supports this bill. “ABC commends Representatives Hudson and Dingell for their leadership on this crucial issue. We urge members of the House to support this bill and members of the Senate to introduce companion legislation, which would save lives and improve patient outcomes nationwide,” said Kate Fry, MBA, CAE, chief executive officer of ABC in a statement regarding the prehospital blood legislation that has been introduced.
On June 5th, Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin, (D-Wis.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) announced that, “The Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act (S.1936)” has been introduced. This legislation would, “carve out payment for transfusion services within the Medicare hospice benefit, allowing for separate billing to Medicare for transfusions. This would improve access to hospice care for patients who rely on transfusion care to maintain quality of life,” according to the news release. ABC CEO Kate Fry explained in the news release, “[b]lood transfusions are a proven palliative measure that can significantly enhance the quality of life for many patients. This legislation bridges a gap in care, ensuring patients can receive transfusions while also benefiting from the holistic support provided under the Medicare hospice benefit. It’s a compassionate step forward in patient-centered care that recognizes the complex needs of those navigating serious illnesses.” Belinda R. Avalos, MD, president of the American Society of Hematology, added in the news release, “[w]e commend Sens. Rosen, Barrasso, and Baldwin for the introduction of the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act. This bill will support critical access to transfusions for patients with blood cancers in hospice and will make great strides in guaranteeing comprehensive palliative care.”
ABC will provide updates as they become available on the prehospital blood legislation and hospice care bill that have been introduced and the rest of our advocacy efforts.