Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Jan 30 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Bob Casey (D-PA) have introduced the Lifesaving Leave Act, a legislation aimed at removing obstacles to bone marrow and blood donations and improving the chances of finding a match for patients in need. The act would ensure that potential bone marrow and blood donors can take leave from work to undergo donation activities, which could significantly expand the pool of eligible donors.
“Americans deciding to make a lifesaving bone marrow or blood cell donation should not have to worry about losing their job. Patients with life-threatening conditions depend on them,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This legislation makes it easier for Americans to provide these crucial donations to save lives.”
According to Senator Casey, too many people waiting for bone marrow transplants are unable to find a match because potential donors cannot take time off from work. He emphasized the importance of this bill, stating, “I’m fighting for this bill because every potential donor has the opportunity to save a life, and we must ensure the fear of losing your job is not a barrier to doing so.”
The Lifesaving Leave Act seeks to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow leave for bone marrow or blood stem cell donation. It specifically proposes that eligible employees be granted a total of 40 nonconsecutive hours of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to donate and engage in the necessary pre-donation and post-donation activities for bone marrow and stem cell donation.
This legislation is a significant step towards increasing the number of available donors and improving the chances of finding a match for patients in need of bone marrow or blood stem cell transplants. By addressing the concern of potential donors losing their jobs, the Lifesaving Leave Act aims to remove a major barrier to donation.
For more information and updates on the Lifesaving Leave Act, visit the website or Twitter account of HELP Republicans at @GOPHELP.
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