Bill Overview
Title: Prevent BLEEDing Act
Description: This bill establishes grants to make available anti-blood loss supplies (e.g., tourniquets, wound-packing materials, and gloves) in high-traffic and other specified areas for use in medical emergencies. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the Department of Health and Human Services must award the grants to state, tribal, and local governments. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study trends in accessing bleeding control kits and training in their use.
Sponsors: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals likely to be in high-traffic or public areas where emergency medical kits might be installed globally
Estimated Size: 290000000
- The bill is designed to make emergency anti-blood-loss supplies available in high traffic and other specified public areas.
- It targets enhancing preparedness for medical emergencies, particularly involving significant blood loss, which can happen anywhere globally.
- The implementation of such measures could potentially impact anyone present in these public areas during an emergency situation.
- The aim is to provide quicker response to injuries leading to substantial blood loss, thereby saving lives irrespective of the geographic location.
- Given the universal nature of the need for emergency medical response to bleeding, it impacts a wide range of the global population in public spaces.
Reasoning
- The Prevent BLEEDing Act provides anti-blood-loss supplies in public high-traffic areas, potentially impacting a large proportion of the U.S. population.
- Policies like these are broadly applicable, especially within urban and densely populated regions where the risk of accidents is higher.
- The policy has a limited budget, so the initial impact will be concentrated in key areas rather than widespread across all public spaces.
- Considering the target estimate of 290 million individuals possibly benefitting from this act, only a fraction will realistically engage with the supplies in an emergency setting.
- Evaluating wellbeing involves a range of perceptions from people who might be direct beneficiaries in emergencies and those who appreciate enhanced public safety but may never personally use these supplies.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (New York City, NY)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe such kits are very important, especially in busy areas like schools or public transport.
- They could potentially save lives, which gives me some peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Paramedic (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm supportive of distributing these kits.
- They enhance public infrastructure and safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retail worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad such supplies might be accessible at my workplace.
- Having access to these kits could minimize panic during emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Accountant (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I won't likely use these kits, but their presence reassures me about public safety measures.
- It feels like an enhancement to community care and preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These supplies should have been standardized long ago.
- As someone focused on health, I think it's beneficial for everyone's safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Flight attendant (Miami, FL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such acts are crucial; they directly impact people in transit areas.
- Knowing these kits are available makes me feel safer during my job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired military officer (Boston, MA)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having such equipment readily available is a strategic safety measure.
- I'm optimistic about its potential to prevent fatal outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Nurse (Denver, CO)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Public availability is vital for first-response scenarios.
- It equips more people to help in emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring to have these supplies in public areas.
- I think it adds a layer of protection when I'm out and about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Event planner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The presence of these kits at events would enhance safety protocols.
- They're essential for mitigating risks in large gatherings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the project heavily relies on the accessibility and visibility of the anti-blood-loss kits in public areas.
- Proper training for personnel and the public is crucial for the success of the intervention in real emergency situations.
- Long-term savings on healthcare costs could validate the initial capital investment.