Chris Bruce — Invited to close the committee discussion.
three expert witnesses — The committee notes that three expert witnesses will testify.
Liz James — Liz James was introduced as the first witness and then testified as a pharmacist and founder of the nationwide nonprofit Blessed by His Blood, speaking in support of House Bill 528.
HB2595 — The witness gives sustained testimony in support of House Bill 528, describing it as a way to restore trust in the blood supply, protect patient autonomy and bodily autonomy, and preserve constituents’ right to choose direct donor blood. The testimony also frames the bill as improving blood transfusion services through education and private donor coordination.
Dr. Wafiq L. Deary — Cited as one of the doctors who presented to HHS's ASIP committee on health implications related to vaccine mRNA in blood and tissue.
Dr. Charlotte Cooper Wasser — Cited as one of the doctors who presented to HHS's ASIP committee on health implications related to vaccine mRNA in blood and tissue.
Sierra Hamm — Introduced as the next witness via video.
Sierra Ham — Sierra Ham introduces herself as a registered nurse and speaks in support of the bill. She adds that she is a mother of four who has personally experienced an emergency blood transfusion, and explains that she supports the bill’s efforts to improve blood transfusion services through education and private donor coordination.
Ms. Sam — The chair thanks the witness, referring to her as Ms. Sam, after her testimony.
Clinton O'Lars / Dr. Clinton Olers — The next witness is introduced; the transcript appears to mangle the name.
Dr. Clinton Olers — Dr. Clinton Olers introduces himself as a historian with a Ph.D. in the history of science from the University of Pennsylvania and explains that he represents Safe Blood, an organization with a growing membership in Idaho.
James Elliott — The next witness is introduced as appearing on video.
Julie VanOrden — Addressed as Chairwoman Van Orden by the witness.
Julie VanOrden — Addressed by the witness as Madam Chair.
Dr. Cole Elliott — Introduces himself as representing the American Red Cross and serving as medical director for Idaho; opposes the bill.
Dr. Elliott — Dr. Elliott responds to questions about blood supply safety by explaining the safeguards used in blood donation and processing. He describes donor screening requirements such as vital signs, hemoglobin/hematocrit checks, pulse, blood pressure, and a detailed health questionnaire. He notes that autologous donors are subject to less strict restrictions and that collected blood is tested before use. He also explains that platelets undergo pathogen reduction to reduce bacterial risk, especially because they are stored at room temperature, and adds that first-time donors tend to have higher positive-test rates than repeat donors.
Shanny McLaren — Shanny McLaren is introduced as the next witness appearing by video, then immediately begins remote testimony by confirming that the committee can hear her.
Shaney McLaren — Shaney McLaren, a private citizen from District 9, testifies in support of House Bill 528. She explains that her background is in health care education and says she is willing to pay fees or membership costs in exchange for the freedom to choose this method of blood collection, storage, and distribution.
Sarah Bacon — Sarah Bacon is introduced as the next witness, then identifies herself as a Kimberly, Idaho resident and precinct committeewoman and states her support for House Bill 528.
Darma Nichols — Darma Nichols, the American Red Cross biomedical regional donor services executive for Idaho, Montana, and East Oregon, testified in opposition to House Bill 528. She explained that directed donations generally do not help the overall blood supply and that unused directed donations are often discarded. In response to committee questions, she said blood shortages are caused by multiple factors, including increased demand and weather-related cancellations, and clarified that the Red Cross is not responsible for hospital policy; once blood is delivered to hospitals, the hospitals decide how to use it.
Ms. Nichols — In this extended exchange, Ms. Nichols responds to questions about whether the bill is primarily about money by explaining that the American Red Cross is a nonprofit operating on a cost-recovery basis. She then addresses safety concerns, noting that directed donations can be appropriate in limited cases such as rare blood types or antigens, while autologous donations may carry added risks and should be guided by medical judgment. She explains that blood shelf life depends on the product, with red blood cells lasting up to 45 days and platelets about five days, and says she does not know exact disposal numbers but that hospitals rotate inventory and expired blood is not used because of FDA requirements. She also identifies her region as East Oregon and Montana and concludes by stating that the Red Cross already has processes for both autologous and directed donations, so the bill is unnecessary.
Laura Demiree — Was introduced as the next witness and asked to identify herself.
Laura Demeret — Testified in support of HB 528 and described her personal experience seeking non-emergent surgery blood that was not from COVID-vaccinated donors.
Laura Demiree / Demeret (questionable spelling) — Laura Demiree/Demeret testified about her concerns regarding blood products, explaining that she requested non-COVID-vaccinated blood for surgery but it was unavailable. She said her position is based on careful research and religious conviction, emphasized that she has no judgment of others’ blood choices, and stated that direct-donor blood improves her chance of survival. She also described administrative barriers faced by friends in Idaho who had to seek blood options in other states, and she closed by urging a yes vote on HB 528 in support of medical freedom.
Ms. Demeray / Demiree (questionable spelling) — Began answering with an example involving a friend who had difficulty obtaining direct donor blood.
Ms. Demiree / Demeray (questionable spelling) — Ms. Demiree/Demeray described the difficulties her friend faced in obtaining direct donor blood for herself and her child, including administrative barriers in Idaho that were so severe they had to go to Florida. She characterized the process as a gauntlet, noted that other states such as Montana have also pursued similar legislation, and said there are several such cases with more expected as facilities decide whether to return blood to the system.
Leslie Manukian — Leslie Manukian was introduced as a video witness and identified herself as a District 26 resident and president of the Health Freedom Defense Fund. She testified that the central issue is each person’s basic right to make medical choices free from coercion or bullying and to direct their own treatment. She suggested opposition may be influenced by blood industry interests, noting that much blood donated in Idaho is sold out of state. In response to questions, she said the problem of medical wishes not being followed has existed since at least COVID and described her father-in-law’s experience in a Twin Falls hospital, where the family had medical power of attorney but the hospital still refused to do what they requested.
Michael Martinez — Michael Martinez is introduced as the next witness and then testifies as the executive director of Vital in Idaho and Washington, describing the nonprofit’s blood donation operations in Cordillane and Lewiston. He goes on to explain that directed donation can cost two to four times more than a unit from the community blood supply because of the added scheduling, storage, and handling required for the specific product.
Mr. Martinez — Mr. Martinez is introduced to the committee and invited to identify himself, then his testimony is followed up with a request to clarify his point about potential increased costs. The discussion also references the organization he represented in the context of limited patient travel options, tying his testimony to broader concerns about access and logistics.
Amanda Cox — Amanda Cox testifies as a concerned citizen and clinic director in support of the bill, describing her personal experience helping patients navigate directed donation. She explains that she has spent hours on the phone advocating for patients, encountered failed attempts to request directed donation, and faced logistical barriers such as out-of-state travel and licensing issues. She concludes by noting that the cost to have a donor give directly to a patient could be as high as $1,500 for just one pint of blood.
Camille Blaylock — Seeks clarification about whether Cox personally experienced barriers to directed donation.
Nicole Irwin — Nicole Irwin, the regional CEO for the American Red Cross in Idaho, Montana, and East Oregon, introduces herself and explains that decisions about directed or autologous donations are made by physicians and hospitals, not by her office.
John Tribble — The chair introduces John Tribble as the next witness. Tribble then identifies himself as a medical doctor, emergency physician at Weiser Memorial Hospital, physician advisor for the Southwest Health District, and medical director for a local family practice urgent care clinic. He goes on to say that he has been unable to provide directed donations to his patients and argues that the bill is fundamentally about patient-physician autonomy.
Barbara Jordan — Barbara Jordan introduces herself as representing the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and states that the organization has no concern about the bill or about people donating their own blood.
Kevin Cook — Supported the bill and noted that direct donation is already federally permitted.
Dr. Tribble — Referenced as part of a broader point about medical freedom and respect for doctors and institutions.
Jonathan Richardson — Jonathan Richardson is introduced as the main page and then introduces himself as living in Shelley, Idaho, where he has lived his entire life. He explains that he has worked in concrete for the past four years, starting with residential and commercial foundations and more recently doing flat work. He thanks the committee for sponsoring him and answers questions about his experience, including that he has poured about 400 yards in a day, though his own maximum was 250, describing long workdays that could run from about 2 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Melissa Wintrow — Addressed as 'Madam Chair.'
Melissa Wintrow — Was asked if she had a question and replied no.
Melissa Wintrow — Asked the page how to pronounce his name and about his move from Hawaii.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow asks Dr. Elliott to explain the science behind blood supply safety, including how safety is ensured for donors and transfusions, and the exchange continues with a brief follow-up in the same discussion.
Melissa Wintrow — Thanked the witness and asked about safety, risks, and larger implications of direct donations.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow questioned the need to codify a practice that is already being done, while expressing concern that the bill could undermine confidence in the blood supply and effectively create a two-tier, pay-based system.
Christy Zito — Likely the senator addressed as 'Senator Blylock/Blaylock' asking about concrete work.
Christy Zito — Senator Blaylock asked about ongoing blood supply shortages and whether expanding a direct-donor program could help increase the blood supply, especially for planned surgeries.
Brandon Shippy — Asked how many yards of concrete the witness poured in one day.
Louis Raleigh — Louis Raleigh introduced himself as a new Senate page who had recently moved from Hawaii. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, said he has a strong interest in politics and hopes to become a senator someday, and clarified that his name is pronounced Louis, like Louis Vuitton.
Olivia — Olivia introduced herself as a page from Boise who spent her early years in Westport, Connecticut, and shared that she hopes to pursue international law or become a JAG lawyer, influenced in part by her military family. She also described her interests in fashion, languages, and politics, saying she wants to bring her own perspective to the political world.
Mark Harris — Mark Harris was called on regarding the February 3rd minutes and then stated that he had read them and moved their approval.
Mark Harris — Asked whether directed-donation blood can be used elsewhere or must be saved forever.