01/23/2025
GOP Rep. Candy Massaroni and two Republican cosponsors are pushing a bill that, in its current form, would block healthcare facilities or providers from transfusing blood unless it tests negative for COVID-19 antibodies and “synthetic mRNA” — the main ingredient in both federally approved COVID-19 vaccines — once an approved test is developed to find “the presence of mRNA.”
Massaroni said Thursday that restriction was “an error,” and that she intends to change it if it were to move forward in the legislature.
“I do not want to restrict donations at all and that was never the intent of the bill,” Massaroni said in an email.
Massaroni, of Bardstown, said in a statement the legislation is driven by the “concerns and needs” of her constituents who want more transparency about the blood transfusions they’re receiving. She cited an unnamed constituent who she says is an expert in blood donations, whose name she said she would keep private.
“By including provisions for direct blood donors, we are empowering families with more options and control over their care while promoting confidence in the blood supply for all who depend on it,” Massaroni said.
The Food and Drug Administration, the American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers and the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies have said that such legislation and fear of blood from COVID-19 vaccine recipients “is not supported by any medical or scientific evidence.”
As much as 96.4% of blood donors have COVID-19 antibodies, according to a 2022 CDC report, meaning a significant supply of the blood hospitals receive could become ineligible for transfusions under the legislation.
Legislation that would block hospitals from transfusing blood containing COVID-19 antibodies or “synthetic mRNA” would severely reduce the state’s blood supply. The bill’s sponsor said Thursday that was a mistake.
