U.S. Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) on Oct. 24 sponsored bipartisan legislation that would allow more donors to qualify for wage, travel, and caregiver reimbursement when donating organs.
The Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act, H.R. 6020, which Rep. Obernolte introduced alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), would amend the Public Health Service Act to eliminate consideration of the income of organ recipients in providing reimbursement of expenses to donating individuals, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“When deciding whether or not to perform the selfless act of donating an organ, the financial burdens of donation stops far too many potential donors who are motivated and medically suitable,” said Rep. Obernolte. “Donating an organ often involves taking time off work for invasive medical procedures. The HOLD Act will ensure more individuals can recoup this personal cost and help give the gift of life to others.”
Currently, a donor may only be reimbursed if the income of the recipient and donor combined is less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or roughly $51,000 a year, resulting in 91 percent of donors financing their own donation, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
If enacted, H.R. 6020 would no longer limit donor eligibility based on the income of the intended recipient, the summary says.
“The HOLD Act is an important step toward eliminating unnecessary barriers to organ donation,” Rep. DelBene said. “We must support heroic living donors who give the incredible gift of life to those in need. This legislation would encourage more life-saving donations, improve health outcomes, and ultimately reduce costs to Medicare and our health care system.”
Waitlist Zero, the American Society of Nephrology, and the National Kidney Foundation endorsed the measure.