Legislation would help improve the quantity of our nation’s blood supply and streamline the opening of new blood centers
Washington, DC – America’s Blood Centers (ABC), the national organization of community-based, independent blood centers that supply 60 percent of the nation’s blood supply, today applauds U.S. Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) and U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) for introducing H.R. 5791, the bipartisan BLOOD Center Act, legislation designed to help improve the quantity of our nation’s blood supply and streamline the opening of new blood centers. By removing needless regulatory delays, this bill will uphold safety while ensuring that donated blood gets where it’s needed—both within and across state lines—more quickly and efficiently.
Today’s current regulatory framework forces blood centers to endure long wait times of often up to a year when adding new collection sites under their Blood License Application (BLA), even when the new site operates under the same standard operating procedures, employs the same devices, and is staffed by the same trained personnel as the already licensed facilities. These delays are not merely bureaucratic, they create real bottlenecks, hamper responsiveness, and reduce the ability of blood centers to mobilize resources during emergencies or to meet shifting patient needs.
“America’s Blood Centers applauds Rep. Wied and Rep. Schrier for introducing legislation to modernize regulations that impede patient access to life-saving blood products. Current licensure requirements impose redundant FDA reviews every time a new collection site opens, even when the same equipment, staff, and procedures are already approved and in use. By streamlining this process, this legislation will eliminate inefficiencies, help new donation sites open in a timely manner, and ensure patients have access to the safe and available blood supply they depend on,” said Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers.
The BLOOD (Bipartisan Licensure Overhaul & Operational Development) Center Act would create an expedited licensure pathway for blood centers opening new collection sites under existing BLAs, provided they are using approved scope of practice, equipment, and staff. It would also allow blood collected at those sites to be shared across state lines sooner, rather than being restricted to in-state use during the often-lengthy licensure expansion process. Lastly, the bill would reduce redundant regulatory burdens while preserving safety, maintaining oversight, and ensuring that all blood centers uphold rigorous operational standards.
ABC has long advocated for modernization of the licensure process as part of its 2025 Advocacy Agenda, which promotes the value of blood to patients, communities, and the healthcare system. The agenda highlights how outdated regulations slow the opening of new sites today and impose unnecessary delays when nothing substantive changes in safety or quality.
Founded in 1962, America’s Blood Centers (ABC) is the national organization bringing together community-based, independent blood centers across North America. These organizations operate in more than 1,100 communities and provide close to 60 percent of the U.S. and a quarter of the Canadian blood supply. ABC member organizations serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities. All ABC U.S. members are 501(c)(3) organizations are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. For more information, visit www.AmericasBlood.org.
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