Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) joined Congressmen Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio-02) and Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.-01) today in introducing legislation that would expand access to life-saving bleeding control kits in schools, malls, houses of worship, libraries and other gathering places in communities across the country. With immediate access to bleeding control kits, many deaths from injuries due to accidents, car crashes, shootings and other violent acts could be prevented.
“Expanding access to bleeding control tool kits in our schools, churches, malls, concert venues and other gathering places — and empowering thousands of Americans with the training to use them — will help save lives,” said Sen. Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy. “Our commonsense legislation will bring to communities in New Jersey and across the nation the know-how and quick access to tools needed for people to help stop severe bleedings before first responders arrive to the scene.”
“We can help save lives by expanding access to tools and resources to prevent traumatic blood loss,” said Sen. Boozman. “This is a practical strategy to empowering individuals to administer life-saving aid in an emergency.”
“As a doctor and combat surgeon who served in Iraq, I know that having the proper bleeding control tools and training is critical when it comes to saving lives,” said Rep. Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. “Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. In the immediate aftermath of an emergency, when seconds matter, our bill gives Americans access and training to life-saving bleed control kits in public gathering places.”
“As a former law enforcement officer, I know that every second counts when responding to an emergency situation,” said Rep. O’Halleran. “Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will increase access to life-saving bleeding control resources and training, strengthening public safety and ensuring our communities are better prepared in the event of an emergency.”
A person with severe injuries can bleed to death in as little as five minutes without intervention. According to a 2018 review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, every year, more than 60,000 people in the United States die of hemorrhagic shock.
The Prevent Blood Loss with Emergency Equipment Devices (BLEEDing) Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a new grant program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
The Prevent BLEEDing Act would:
- Authorize $10 million per fiscal year for the grant program;
- Allow grantees to purchase or distribute anti-blood loss supplies (tourniquets, gauze, dressings, or other appropriate materials) for use in medical emergencies in places where people gather;
- Ensure communities can provide training on the proper use of anti-blood loss supplies to enhance public safety; and
- Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the trends on access to utilization of bleeding control kits and training across rural, urban and suburban areas, which would better inform future policy on the use and need for bleeding control kits.
The American College of Surgeons, Society of Trauma Nurses, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons support the bipartisan legislation.
“I applaud Senators Menendez and Boozman and Representatives O’Halleran and Wenstrup for introducing the Prevent Blood Loss with Emergency Equipment Devices Act (Prevent BLEEDing Act). This legislation is crucial to support efforts to bring STOP THE BLEED® training and equipment directly to all US citizens. Similar to CPR, a civilian familiar with basic bleeding control techniques is equipped to save a life when minutes matter,” said Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons. “This critically important legislation will help to educate and empower individuals to take life-saving action during an emergency.”