ASN champions proposed bill to expand living kidney donations
Key takeaways:
- The Expanding Support for Living Donors Act of 2024 would widen living donor eligibility criteria.
- The legislation also aims to make kidney donation cost-neutral for living donors.
The American Society of Nephrology has championed a proposed bill to reinforce support and eligibility access for living organ donors, according to an association press release.
“In the immediate term, the introduction of this legislation is a powerful signal about Congress' recognition of the need to ensure living donors do not face financial barriers to saving the lives of fellow Americans,” Roslyn B. Mannon, MD, FASN, a transplant nephrologist and ASN policy and advocacy committee chair, told Healio. “In the long term, I am hopeful that by eliminating what can be substantial out-of-pocket costs for most living donors will allow more people who are medically good candidates to successfully donate. In addition to widening living donor eligibility criteria, the bill aims to make kidney donation cost-neutral by covering more of the costs living donors typically incur during the donation process, such as travel expenses, child care and lost wages. The current federal donor reimbursement program provides up to $6,000 for donation-related expenses, according to a press release from Rep. Suzan DelBene, D–Wash., who introduced the bill.
The sponsors of the bill noted in the release that the legislation would reauthorize the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program through 2035, increase maximum reimbursement amount to $10,000 and base reimbursement eligibility on donor vs. recipient income.
The proposed legislation, set to be reintroduced in the 119th Congress in January, would also provide Congress with annual progress reports.
“Having such a strong, bipartisan introduction from recognized kidney champions, physicians and key members of committees of jurisdiction is the best possible foot forward anyone could hope for this legislation,” Suzanne Watnick, MD, FASN, a nephrologist and ASN health policy scholar-in-residence, told Healio. “Advocating for its enactment will be a top ASN priority, and we will work closely with the lead sponsors and committees of jurisdiction to advance it in the House — while working to identify Senate champions to introduce companion legislation. 2025 will mark a new session of Congress with many new members who will have to enact funding bills for not 1 but 2 fiscal years.”
Text of the bill will be available at https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/10282/text?s=9&r=2&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22chamberActionDateCode%3A%5C%222024-12-04%7C118%7C1000%5C%22+AND+billIsReserved%3A%5C%22N%5C%22%22%7D.
Reference:
Miller, colleagues introduce the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act. https://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-colleagues-introduce-expanding-support-living-donors-act. Published Dec. 4, 2024. Accessed Dec. 5, 2024.