U.S. Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) has proposed the National Organ Transplant Act Amendments of 2018 to revise and extend the national organ transplant procurement program.
“Even though organ donations are increasing, transplant waiting lists are growing at a much faster rate,” Rep. Rice said on July 24. “This legislation will increase organ donations by re-prioritizing local donation efforts, coordinating efforts to maximize limited resources, supporting organ procurement organizations, and ensuring rural populations have access to transplant services.”
Rep. Rice is the sponsor of H.R. 6458, which he introduced on July 19 with cosponsors U.S. Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Mike Rogers (R-AL).
“The Health Resources and Services Administration currently focuses on distributing a finite amount of organs to patients, which has created winners and losers on growing waiting lists across the country,” Rep. Rice explained. “Outdated policies should not dictate whether someone receives a life-saving transplant.”
A summary provided by the congressman’s office noted that H.R. 6458 aims to increase the supply of organ donors by focusing on four areas: Incentivizing community donor efforts; supporting organ procurement organizations and centers to increase donations and improve performance accountability; ensuring vulnerable and rural populations have access to transplant services; and coordinating federal regulations to maximize organ use.
Regarding federal regulations, among numerous provisions, H.R. 6458 specifically would increase organ utilization and reduce organ discards by eliminating transplant policies and regulations that encourage transplant centers to avoid the use of certain organs, according to the text of the bill.
Additionally, H.R. 6458 would increase access to transplantation for underserved minorities; reduce barriers to transplantation based on socio-economic status; increase access to transplantation for children; and promote innovation in transplantation science and in organ donation and allocation, according to the bill’s text in the congressional record.
“Organ donations give recipients who have been suffering from life-threatening illnesses a second chance,” said Rep. Rice.
H.R. 6458 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.