US News

‘Gay blood’ ban fading

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is inching closer to lifting the ban on gay men donating blood.

The Department of Health and Human Services said it plans to study alternatives to the 1983 ban on blood and plasma donations by men who have sex with other men.

A notice about the study in the Federal Register this week explained that improved screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis could still keep the blood supply safe.