Cicilline Applauds Change in FDA Blood Donation Policies

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David N. Cicilline, who last year urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to end the blanket three-month blood donation deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transition to an individual risk assessment to determine donor eligibility, today commended the FDA for taking action towards this goal. The FDA today announced it is “proposing a change from time-based deferrals to assessing blood donor eligibility using gender-inclusive, individual risk-based questions to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV.”
 
“I commend the FDA for taking an important step towards ensuring our nation’s blood donation policies are based on science, not stigma,” said Congressman Cicilline. “Last February, I was proud to lead more than 140 Members in urging the FDA to implement an individual risk assessment for blood donation similar to the one announced today. I look forward to working with the FDA to ensure blood donation policies are fully inclusive of LGBTQ+ Americans.”
 

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