{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2024/7/tillis-kelly-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-increase-access-to-plasma-based-medicines", "Tillis, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Plasma-Based Medicines", "2024-07-24", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "NC", "Thom Tillis", "T000476", "www.tillis.senate.gov", "tillis", "https://www.tillis.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the bipartisan Preserving Life-saving Access to Specialty Medicines in America (PLASMA) Act, legislation to ensure individuals with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have access to necessary plasma-based medicines.\n\n\u201cIt is critical patients with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have uninterrupted access to the life-saving plasma-based medicines they need,\u201dsaid Senator Tillis. \u201cThis commonsense legislation increases access to these innovative medications and ensures they remain affordable for the thousands of Americas who rely on them.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnsuring that individuals with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have access to life-saving plasma-based medicines is not just a health care issue, it's a matter of life and death,\" said Senator Kelly. \u201cThePLASMA Act is crucial to keep treatments accessible and affordable for thousands of Americans. I will continue working across the aisle to support plasma donation and guarantee that no patient faces a disruption in their treatment.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Alpha-1 Foundation is proud to endorse The PLASMA Act in support of patients with rare diseases, like Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and immunodeficiencies to have access to necessary plasma-based medicines. It is vital for our community to have continued access to this life-saving plasma therapy that they receive on a weekly basis,\u201d said Scott Santarella, President & CEO, Alpha-1 Foundation.\n\n\u201cThe GBS/CIDP Foundation International proudly supports thePLASMA Act and all policies that promote patient access to plasma medicines,\u201d said Lisa Butler, Executive Director, GBS/CIDP Foundation International \u201cMany patients with rare and chronic conditions like Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) require reliable access to plasma medicines multiple times per month and any disruption can have devastating effects. Introducing thePLASMA Act is a significant step forward toward ensuring continued access to life-saving plasma medicines into the future.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nNorth Carolina is home to one of the world\u2019s largest plasma production facilities and more than 30 plasma donor centers across the state, which provide life-saving measures for thousands of Americans.\n\nThe PLASMA Act would include plasma-derived medicines in a phase-in process for the Part D redesign the Inflation Reduction Act already has in place for other drugs Congress recognized as unique. Beginning in 2031, manufacturers would pay the full rebate amount following annual rebate increases, protecting vulnerable beneficiaries\u2019 supply of plasma-derived medicines and avoiding skyrocketing costs for patients.\n\nIn the United States, over 125,000 patients living with rare and life-threatening diseases rely on sustained access to plasma derived medicinal products to treat their lifelong health conditions. These rare and chronic diseases include Primary Immunodeficiencies, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency; for most patients there are no effective, alternative therapies available.\n\nThe PLASMA Act is endorsed by top national and international health organizations, including the Immune Deficiency Foundation, Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, Alpha-1 Foundation, and GBS | CIDP Foundation International.\n\nFull text of the legislation is availableHERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2024/7/tillis-kelly-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-increase-access-to-plasma-based-medicines"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1640381999313831, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}