Dried hemoactive materials comprise both a cross-linked biologically compatible polymer and a non-cross-linked biologically compatible polymer. The cross-linked polymer is selected to form a hydrogel when exposed to blood. The non-cross-linked polymer is chosen to solubilize relatively rapidly when exposed to blood. The non-cross-linked polymer serves as a binder for holding the materials in desired geometries, such as sheets, pellets, plugs, or the like. Usually, the cross-linked polymer will be present in a particulate or fragmented form. The materials are particularly suitable for hemostasis and drug delivery.