Murray Statement on Updated FDA Guidance on Blood Donation for Gay Men

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on the updated recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding gay men and blood donation.

“The guidance released today was a step in the right direction, and I am pleased the FDA is moving forward to revise the lifetime ban on blood donations. However, I am disappointed that this guidance does not go far enough and continues discriminatory policies against many healthy gay and bisexual men. Healthy Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the opportunity to donate blood and help in the effort to save lives. I look forward to working with the FDA to build on these steps to remove discriminatory policies while keeping our blood supply safe.”