Raoul, AGs call for feds to ease restrictions on blood donations

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined 19 of his colleagues in urging federal officials to further ease restrictions on blood donations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In comments submitted Wednesday, the attorneys general called on the Food and Drug Administration to revise its recent guidance on blood donations and move toward a “risk-based, gender-neutral screening model that makes it easier for the LGBTQ population to donate blood and plasma.” They said the move would ensure the nation’s blood supply can meet current demands.

“At a time when medical facilities throughout the country are experiencing an unprecedented need due to the coronavirus, the FDA must offer guidelines that allow all eligible donors to safely donate lifesaving blood and plasma,” Raoul said in a statement.

The FDA recently issued revised blood donor eligibility guidance, particularly related to donors from the LGBTQ community. Under the new guidance, gay and bisexual men must wait three months, which is a decrease from 12 months, after sexual activity before they can donate blood.

The coalition supported the step but said it did not go far enough to ensure there is enough blood.

The agency did not return a request for comment.

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