Resources for Supporting the Family Cord Blood Banking Act

Cord blood stem cells have been used in more than 25,000 transplants worldwide during the last 20 years to treat a wide range of serious diseases in both adults and children. They are now showing great promise for regenerative medicine applications including treatment for diabetes, brain injury, cerebral palsy and hearing loss, just to name a few.  However, capturing the benefits of cord blood stem cells by storing them in a cord blood bank does not come without a price.

The average cost of cord blood banking can be as much as $2,000 for collection and processing and up to $150 a year for storage.  The fundamental value of these stem cells is the reason many expectant parents choose to bank their child’s cord blood.  Thankfully, the Family Cord Blood Banking Act (HR 1614) will make this decision even easier for American families by categorizing cord blood banking as a qualified medical expense and lowering the cost of cord blood banking by as much as 35%, depending on income tax bracket.

Every Voice Counts: Here's how you can help.

Currently, the HR 1614 awaits action by the House Ways & Means Committee, but more co-sponsors are needed to help accelerate the process and ensure that the bill becomes law.  Consequently, CSCRM needs grassroots supporters call or email their U.S. House Member and ask him or her to sign-on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1614, the Family Cord Blood Banking Act.

Four Easy Steps:

1. Know what the bill says and know what the bill means: Read the content of H.R. 1614 here and read an explanation of H.R. 1614 here


2. Draft an e-mail or prepare for a phone call: It's important to use your own words regarding why you care about this issue, but the talking points above and these sample emails should help.

• Sample Email From a General Concerned Citizen
• Sample Email From a Parent Who Has Banked
  Their Child’s Cord Blood
• Sample Email From a Researcher

3. Contact your U.S. Representative: Visit the U.S. House of Representatives "Write Your Representative" web site to fill out a email web form or find the phone number to call.


4. Follow - Up - You are almost done, but good follow-up will ensure that your initial contact has the impact you want it to. Review this helpful guide for tips on following up with your Member of Congress.

Please note: Physical letters are not effective given the security procedures and length of time to deliver items to offices. Focused e-mail letters make an impact.

Thank you in advance for your support of this important legislation to increase education and awareness of these amazing stem cells.