AABB Statement in Support of the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2021

AABB applauds Senators Rosen, Barrasso and Baldwin for their bipartisan legislation to expand access to blood transfusion through the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2021. AABB supports this legislation because it would carve out payments for transfusion services within the hospice Medicare benefit and allow patients with life-limiting illnesses who require blood transfusions to receive this critical therapy outside of the hospice bundle.

“This bill has the potential to be transformative for patients who are considering hospice care but who are concerned about their access to blood transfusions,” said AABB’s CEO Debra BenAvram. “AABB applauds Senators Rosen, Barrasso and Baldwin for their leadership on this issue and extends its enthusiastic support for efforts to improve patients’ access to blood transfusions across the continuum of care.”

AABB will continue to work closely with Congress on this important issue to ensure that patients who rely on blood transfusion to maintain their quality of life have access to this therapy at all stages of their care.

 

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AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) is an international, not-for-profit organization representing individuals and institutions involved in the fields of transfusion medicine and biotherapies. The Association works collaboratively to advance the field by developing and delivering standards, accreditation, and education programs. AABB is dedicated to its mission of improving lives by making transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available, and effective worldwide. For more information, visit www.aabb.org.