Blood Assurance Act of 1979

Blood Assurance Act of 1979 - Prohibits any person from: (1) charging or collecting a fee; or (2) requiring the donation or transfer of blood, as a condition to the provision of blood to any individual. Stipulates that a blood supplier may recruit blood donors by offering donors incentives to provide blood, such as a discount on the charge to an individual for the provision of blood as a result of a blood donation or blood drive, but limits such discount to the greater of: (1) the average cost of recruiting a donor in the area; or (2) 20 percent of the cost of processing a unit of blood.

Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare) to repeal the provision which requires a reduction of the amount payable to a provider of services by a deduction equal to the cost of the first three pints of whole blood. Requires the regulations which determine the cost of services under such program to take into account the processing fees incurred by a provider of services in the replacement of blood furnished to an individual, but only to the extent the provider demonstrates that it has been able to secure such replacement only through the payment of such fees.

Prohibits any person from denying to any health care facility or blood supplier the reciprocal exchange of available blood required as a result of patient needs, unless such exchange would deplete the available blood needed by such establishment.

Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through a recognized private entity composed in part of national blood suppliers, to: (1) foster the exchange and availability of blood; and (2) determine the fair and reasonable exchange rates to be charged among blood suppliers for blood.

Directs the Secretary to suspend or revoke the license of a person who is licensed under the Public Health Service Act to prepare blood and who violates provisions of this Act. Makes a provider of services who violates this Act ineligible to receive payments under Medicare.

Directs the Secretary to carry out health education programs with respect to the nature of, and need for, blood and blood donors and to submit to Congress within two years of enactment a report on such activities.