OBI Says Proposed Bill Would Improve Quality Of Life For At-Home Hospice Patients

Our Blood Institute is bringing awareness to a U.S. Senate Bill it says would improve the quality of life for at-home hospice patients.

The OBI said Senate Bill 2186 would make access to blood transfusions easier for end-of-life patients who receive care at home.

OBI President and CEO Doctor John Armitage said the current amount of money hospice gets per day isn't enough to cover costs of at-home blood transfusions.

He said transfusions don't just prolong life, but they also improve the quality of life for hospice patients.

"Transfusions are given for comfort and relief. People who are short of breath aren't as labored in their breathing when they have red cells, so it's all about the comfort aspects. And it's all about these patients being able to opt into hospice care, rather than having to stay in the hospital or keep going back and forth to clinics to get these transfusions. Because they need them to stay alive," Dr. Armitage said.

While some are in favor, there are concerns surrounding blood transfusions at home.

The proposal would increase costs for Medicare and Medicaid to give patients more money to cover transfusions through hospice.

There is also safety concerns for patients without around-the-clock surveillance from hospital staff.