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Congress requests IoM report on CB
23 January 2004
Both ThermoGenesis and the NY Blood Center (via Rubenstein Communications) issue press releases announcing that Congress has passed appropriations to create a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program, thanks to their lobbying efforts. The Sacramento Bee reports that expected sales of ThermoGenesis equipment could help the company post the first profit in its 14-year history.
However, the PR is misleading: The Congressional Record shows that Congress did not act on the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 (bills S1717 and HR2852). Congress passed HR2673, the Omnibus Spending Bill for fiscal year 2004. This includes $10 million appropriations for a National Cord Blood Registry to be administered by the Human Resources Spending Agency (HRSA). The exact language of the bill requires that the first $1 million be spent to commission an Institute of Medicine study which will decide how best to distribute the funds. The remaining $9 million will not be released until the study is complete, by the end of 2004.
However, the PR is misleading: The Congressional Record shows that Congress did not act on the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 (bills S1717 and HR2852). Congress passed HR2673, the Omnibus Spending Bill for fiscal year 2004. This includes $10 million appropriations for a National Cord Blood Registry to be administered by the Human Resources Spending Agency (HRSA). The exact language of the bill requires that the first $1 million be spent to commission an Institute of Medicine study which will decide how best to distribute the funds. The remaining $9 million will not be released until the study is complete, by the end of 2004.
Last modified: 20.April 2009
Copyright 2000 - 2009 Frances Verter
Copyright 2000 - 2009 Frances Verter