Prevent BLEEDing Act Introduced to Advance STOP THE BLEED Efforts

The ACS supports the Prevent Blood Loss with Emergency Equipment Devices Act (Prevent BLEEDing Act), introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Boozman (R-AR)  and Reps. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH). Introduction of this legislation coincided with the fifth annual National STOP THE BLEED^® Day, May 19, which falls during the broader observance of National STOP THE BLEED® Month.

The Prevent BLEEDing Act creates a grant program within the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide anti-blood-loss supplies for use in a medical emergency and implement training on bleeding control techniques.

“We applaud introduction of the Prevent BLEEDing Act. This legislation is crucial for efforts to bring STOP THE BLEED^® training and equipment to people across the US. Similar to CPR, someone familiar with basic bleeding control techniques can help save a life when minutes matter,” said Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, ACS Executive Director. “This critically important legislation will help educate and empower individuals to take lifesaving action during an emergency.”

In a letter supporting the legislation, the ACS recommended that the grant ensure procurement of high-quality tourniquets and other bleeding control supplies, such as products approved by the Department of Defense’s Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Combat Casualty Research Program, to prevent a scenario in which a poorly made device might fail.

Learn more about STOP THE BLEED on the program’s website.