To ensure patient access, America’s Blood Centers is asking Congress to pass S.2186, Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act, and H.R. 9803, Hospice CARE Act.
Hospice provides comprehensive, holistic care for a terminally ill patient and their family and caregivers, including but not limited to pain management and symptom education, emotional and spiritual support, and help with patient personal care, including respite for caregivers. Hospice has been shown to decrease costs at the end of life, decrease hospitalizations, and increase quality of life.
Unfortunately, to receive a blood transfusion, patients often forgo the benefits of the Medicare hospice program or delay enrollment. This is primarily a result of few hospice providers providing blood transfusions due to the cost and lack of associated reimbursement.
For example, patients with leukemia that are transfusion dependent are substantially more likely to have a hospice stay less than 3 days compared to an overall average hospice stay of 89.6 days.
Delayed enrollment in hospice has been shown to lead to a greater number of emergency room visits and hospital admissions in the last 30 days of life, with patients much more likely to die in the hospital or intensive care unit. The cost of these transfusion dependent patients not meaningfully utilizing hospice dramatically lowers end-of-life quality measures at an increased cost to Medicare ($17,783 vs $7662).
The 2022 hospice patient rate for all services provided as part of routine home care (day 1-60) is $203.40, less than the cost of a single blood transfusion.
Expanding the availability of blood transfusions within the Medicare hospice program would ensure that all patients can benefit from the end-of-life care provided through the Medicare hospice benefit while maintaining the quality of life provided by blood transfusions.
To achieve this, ABC is asking Congress to pass two critical pieces of legislation:
The Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act introduced by Sen. Rosen. This bill would require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to establish and implement a model under which blood transfusions furnished to an individual receiving hospice care are paid separately from the Medicare hospice benefit. Those interested in supporting this bill and encouraging their Members of Congress to cosponsor it can do so here.
H.R. 9803, the Hospice CARE Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3). This legislation would expand access to palliative blood transfusions for individuals enrolled in the Medicare hospice program, aiming to address a pressing gap in the current state of care. Individuals and organizations alike can show their support by submitting letters to their Members of Congress urging them to back this crucial legislation.
While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has explicitly recognized the ability of hospice providers to cover palliative blood transfusions, the reimbursement rate is inadequate to cover the cost.
Hospice Care in America
Learn more about hospice care in America through an overview provided by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, including patient characteristics, Medicare hospice spending, and more.
Statistics & Research
Download ABC's U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide, a first of its kind guide is designed to provide the latest look at America’s blood supply and its donors, including social media resources.
Letters and Comments
View the latest letters and comments from ABC as we work to advance our advocacy agenda, strengthen the blood supply, and support the important role of community blood centers across the nation.
2024 Advocacy Agenda
Promoting the value of blood to patients, communities, and the healthcare system.
America’s Blood Centers and our members are committed to addressing the challenges facing community blood centers that ensure a safe and available blood supply is always available to meet patient needs.
Through our Advocacy Agenda, America’s Blood Centers urges the Administration, Congress, and industry stakeholders to promote the value of blood to patients, communities, and the healthcare system.