U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young and Rep. Doris Matsui Introduce the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2010 to Reauthorize the National Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Donor Program

Press Release

Representatives Young and Matsui have partnered together to introduce H.R. 6081, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2010. This bipartisan measure would reauthorize the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) and the national bone marrow and cord blood program (which was officially named the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program but is referred to as the National Program) in the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 which was approved unanimously by the Congress

Since Congress first authorized it in 1986, the National Program has been responsible over 40,000 transplants and over 8 million potential donors have been added to the national registry. Diseases treatable by bone marrow transplants include numerous forms of Leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Gaucher's disease, Sickle Cell Disease, and Neuroblastoma.

Introducing this measure, Young stated: "This is truly a life saving program and this legislation will ensure that it continues without disruption. I want to thank my colleague Doris Matsui for her strong support for the program and the thousands of people it gives hope to every day."

Representative Matsui said: "I am pleased to join Congressman Young in sponsoring the reauthorization of this life-saving program that has facilitated almost 40,000 transplants since its inception. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce committee to pass this vital piece of legislation in a timely manner, and ensure that the thousands of patients who rely on this program each year can access it when they need it."

H.R. 6081 is identical to legislation that has been introduce by Senator Hatch in the other chamber. In collaborating with Senator Hatch, along with Senators Dodd, Burr, Reed, Ensign and Franken, Young and Matsui have attempted to work out any differences between the House and Senate and achieve a consensus between both Democrats and Republicans. It is hoped that the Congress will approve H.R. 6081 before the National Program expires on September 30th.

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