Sample email to support House Bill 1718
"The Family Cord Blood Banking Act."

Dear Representative,

I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor and support H.R. 1718, “The Family Cord Blood Banking Act.”

This critical bipartisan legislation will make cord blood banking services a qualified medical expense, thereby allowing individuals and families to use tax-advantaged dollars to pay for cord blood banking through flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs) health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) or the medical expenses tax deduction.

As a parent who chose to bank my child’s cord blood even though I could not use tax-free dollars to pay for it, I know it can be a daunting financial decision. That is why H.R. 1718, which significantly reduces the cost of cord blood banking for American families depending on their tax bracket, is so important. It will make this critical health decision so much easier!

Cord blood is a non-controversial source of stem cells for current and emerging therapies. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood have been used in more than 14,000 transplants worldwide during the last 20 years to treat more than 70 diseases in both adults and children. They are also showing promising results in research for regenerative medicine including treatment for diabetes and various forms of brain injury including cerebral palsy.

While expectant parents can currently use tax-free health dollars for qualified medical expenses such as over-the-counter cough syrup and antacids, they can’t use these dollars for the banking of cord blood stem cells.

The “Family Cord Blood Banking Act” will change this disparity and make cord blood banking more affordable for American families. I strongly urge you to co-sponsor this important legislation and support its passage in Congress.

Sincerely,