Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced HR 6171, the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act. This bill would provide a one-time refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 to living organ donors who were not reimbursed for expenses related to organ donation by the National Living Organ Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) or other entity. It is provided as long as possible.
There is a serious shortage of transplants in our country. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, 17 people die every day while waiting for viable organs. According to UNOS, about 93,000 Americans are currently on waiting lists for kidney transplants, with some having to wait as long as six years to receive a transplant. On average, dialysis costs for patients waiting for a transplant cost the U.S. government at least $77,000 a year, totaling more than $20 billion annually, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Removing barriers to organ donation will not only increase the number of living donors who save lives, it will also save taxpayers money. This tax credit applies to living kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, intestine, bone marrow donors, and other viable living organ donations.
“When an organ donor decides to donate one of their organs to another person, they are not just saving someone’s life; they are making the most selfless and difficult decision anyone will ever make. You will be given one of the following.” said Rep. Nadler. “But donors can face significant, often exorbitant, costs associated with surgery, including travel, lodging, follow-up care, and lost wages associated with transplantation. That’s why I am supporting this bill. We are proud to work with Congressman Wilson to introduce the following: ” as we continue to work to remove barriers to organ donation. ”
“The gift of a living donation is truly precious. Donors who choose the selfless act of donating their life-saving organs, whether they are giving to a stranger or a loved one, are making an important life decision. Life-changing decisions should not come at a cost, and this bill removes that disincentive and makes it possible for anyone, regardless of their financial situation, to donate their organs if they choose.” said Rep. Wilson. “My predecessor, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Floyd Spence, miraculously received a double lung transplant, becoming the 30th person in the world to undergo the experiment, and went on to serve America for another 13 years.” We will always be grateful to Dr. Seshadri Raju of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, for performing this surgery in 1988. I was working on adding a red heart for donors. Time to register. Today, I am grateful to be able to further expand on Floyd Spence’s legacy.”
This bill is endorsed by the American Kidney Foundation (AKF), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), RSN Hope, Waitlist Zero, Kidney Transplant Cooperative (KTC), Polycystic Kidney Foundation, American Society of Nephrology (ASN), and American Society of Nephrology. It has been. Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN), American Renal Nurses Association (ANNA), National Kidney Registry (NKR), National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO), NOTA Modification Coalition, American Society of Transplantation (AST), American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), and Society of Nephrologists.
“The Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act of 2023 will help expand the number of living donors and provide kidneys to more patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It removes many of the financial barriers to donation and gives more people the opportunity to provide this lifesaving gift. The American Kidney Fund applauds the introduction of this bill.” said Laverne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Foundation (AKF).
“Living donors should not receive unpaid bills for lodging, transportation, or other donation-related expenses as a reward for their lifesaving generosity.” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and transplant recipient. “Refundable tax credits are a bipartisan, common-sense measure that removes economic barriers that impede an individual’s ability to donate a kidney.”
“There are financial barriers for people who want to give their life. People who donate a kidney to help someone in need are heroes. The Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act has been in place for a long time.” said Lori Hartwell, founder and president of Renal Support Network (RSN Hope).
“On behalf of the American Society of Transplantation (AST), which represents the majority of the nation’s medical professionals in the field of solid organ transplantation, I commend Congressman Wilson for his long-standing support of organ transplantation and living donation. We strongly support and support the Organ Donor Tax Credit Act. The Association commends and appreciates Congressman Wilson and Congresswoman Nadler’s steadfast leadership in improving the lives of those waiting for lifesaving organ donations. .” said Josh Levitsky, M.D., president of the American Society of Transplantation (AST).
“This is an important step forward for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS),” said Elizabeth Pomfret, MD, of the University of Colorado and president of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS). “We welcome this carefully constructed policy, which helps remove the economic disincentives for inter vivos gifts through the tax code.” she added, “This bill would send a clear message to potential donors: Congress will protect the health and safety of patients without resorting to financial coercion to share the gift of life. It will help remove disincentives to donations.”
“The Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act will help make organ donation an easier choice for many Americans. People who donate a kidney provide the gift of life, but many organ donors They must pay thousands of dollars out of pocket to donate. This bill removes the financial barriers faced by living donors by establishing tax credits for certain costs incurred when donating. It helps.” “We are thrilled to be working with the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), president of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), Michelle A. Josephson, MD, FASN.
“The Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act brings us closer to the goal of removing all financial barriers to organ donation. provides living organ donors with access to financial assistance through a limited tax credit. I believe that the assistance provided through the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act is important in respecting living donors. We believe this bill will allow more people to make the choice to donate their kidneys.” “The American Society of Nephrology’s policy and advocacy committee chair, Roslyn B. Manone, MD, FASN, said:
American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN); “We applaud the introduction of the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act by Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY). Donation rates are declining despite the fact that living donor kidney transplantation is well established as the treatment of choice for children and adults with end-stage renal disease due to excellent graft and patient survival rates. , this decline continues. This important legislation will encourage living donors, and we urge its swift passage.”
“ANNA supports the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act. Transplantation is the most effective treatment for chronic kidney disease, but kidney donation can be costly. It helps alleviate some of the cost barriers that prevent delivery from happening.” said Jennifer Peyton, MHCA, BSN, RN, CNN, president of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).
“More than 90,000 Americans are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, including thousands of people with polycystic kidney disease who have kidney failure and are waiting for treatment. We need to take every possible step to donate kidneys to as many people as possible before we can. The PKD Foundation is committed to helping more people donate their kidneys by offsetting some of the financial burdens that prevent living organ donation. I commend and support Congressmen Joe Wilson and Congressman Jerry Nadler for introducing the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act, which will encourage more Americans to make the gift of life.” said Susan Bushnell, president and CEO of the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation.
“Waitlist Zero was founded by living kidney donors who know that living organ donation costs, on average, 10% of their annual income. Too many people are left out. Rep. Wilson and Rep. Nadler’s Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act would provide a refundable tax credit to all living organ donors. Organ transplants save lives and save taxes. Zero Waiting List is proud of this bill.” Waitlist Zero said.
A copy of the law can be found here Link.
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U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler represents New York’s 12th Congressional District, which includes part of Manhattan, and serves as a ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.
