Florida, California, and New Jersey Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Stem Cell Programs

Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced legislation to reauthorize two national programs that provide life-saving bone marrow and cord blood transplants for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and other serious diseases.

$280 Million in Renewed Funding

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 5160) seeks more than $280 million over five years to keep the programs running beyond their current expiration in Fiscal Year 2026.

Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) are leading the bill, which would continue funding for:

$33 million annually for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program
$23 million annually for the National Cord Blood Inventory

These programs have already enabled tens of thousands of transplants, helping connect patients with compatible donors and advancing access to promising stem cell therapies.

Lawmakers Emphasize Hope and Innovation

“By reauthorizing this legislation, we ensure continued federal support and oversight for adult stem cell research conducted under the highest ethical and scientific standards,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis, underscoring the bill’s role in driving medical innovation and giving future generations hope.

Congresswoman Doris Matsui praised the impact of the programs:

“The C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory have saved tens of thousands of lives by connecting patients with life-saving donors. This bill ensures that hope endures—and that even more families are given the gift of time, healing, and a second chance at life.”

A Lifeline for Patients

For many families, bone marrow and cord blood transplants represent the best — and sometimes only — chance at survival. These procedures replace unhealthy blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones from donors, whether from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.

Organizations such as NMDP (formerly the National Marrow Donor Program) and the Cord Blood Association strongly back the bill, applauding its life-saving mission.

Amy Ronneberg, CEO of NMDP, emphasized Congress’ ongoing commitment:

“The continued bipartisan support from Congress for this program grows stronger with each reauthorization, demonstrating how a deepening commitment to saving lives can impact over 140,000 patients’ lives to date and create an enduring program to serve all patients in need.”