Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) has introduced the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act alongside Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), and Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA). This legislation aims to support living organ donors by addressing the financial challenges associated with organ donation.
“Living donors are a blessing to those who have life-threatening diseases and need an organ transplant, but they are also rare given how expensive donating an organ can be. The last thing a donor should have to worry about is whether they can afford this kind of procedure. It’s important that these individuals have access to financial aid along with additional support needed to move forward with the donation process. I joined Congresswoman DelBene in introducing the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act to reauthorize the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program and remove the current income restrictions which affect whether a donor is reimbursed. This bill will ensure low-income individuals are appropriately compensated for their life-saving donations and increase the number of donations available to those in need,” said Congresswoman Miller.
The bill proposes removing financial barriers that hinder potential donors from participating in organ donation. “Donors give the gift of life to their fellow Americans, but for too long the system hasn’t been designed to fully support them. This legislation would remove unnecessary financial barriers that have prevented many from donating. As the transplant list continues to grow longer and longer, we must take bold steps to support living donors,” stated Congresswoman DelBene.
Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation and a transplant recipient, emphasized the urgency of passing this legislation: “The stakes could not be higher. Twelve people die in the U.S. every day waiting for a kidney. This bipartisan effort to enhance NLDAC is a crucial step toward saving more lives, and we urge lawmakers to act swiftly to pass this critical legislation. Living donors make an extraordinary sacrifice to save lives, and they should never face financial obstacles in the process.”
Dr. Deidra Crews, President of the American Society of Nephrology, expressed support for making living donation cost-neutral: “Donating a life-saving organ is one of the greatest possible gifts. The American Society of Nephrology believes that living donation should be a cost-neutral act and commends the introduction of the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act. This bill breaks down barriers to living organ donation by covering out-of-pocket costs incurred during the living donation process for most Americans, enshrining our nation’s commitment to those who give the gift of life."
LaVarne Burton, President and CEO of American Kidney Fund, highlighted how this bill could provide hope: “The American Kidney Fund is proud to support the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which would increase the number of kidneys available for donation by making living donation more affordable for donors."
The proposed legislation has garnered backing from various patient advocacy and medical groups including National Kidney Foundation, American Society of Nephrology, among others.
Every day 17 Americans die while waiting for an organ transplant due largely due to insufficient numbers on donor lists. The new bill seeks solutions such as reauthorizing reimbursement programs through 2035 with increased limits pegged against inflationary trends along doubling eligibility thresholds based upon donor rather than recipient incomes.
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