Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability Recommendations - August 2003

DATE: August 24, 2004

TO: Interested Parties

FROM: Jerry A. Holmberg, PhD, Executive Secretary for Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability

SUBJECT: Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability Recommendations - August 21&22, 2003

The Advisory Committee unanimously made two Recommendations to Secretary Thompson on August 22, 2003. Minutes, transcripts and presentations are posted on the Committee's web site (http://www.hhs.gov/bloodsafety).

1. Whereas further reduction in already inadequate Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement for blood products, and plasma derivatives and their recombinant analogues threatens both the stability of the nation's blood system and individual patient access to medically necessary therapies, the Committee recommends that the Secretary direct CMS to reexamine its framework for cost reimbursement in this product area and, in the interim, provide reimbursement based on actual costs of acquiring and providing the products.

2. Further, the Committee recommends that CMS be directed to utilize validated cost data available from product manufacturers and distributors.