Representatives Don Bacon and Jerrold Nadler have reintroduced the Living Donor Protection Act, a legislative package aimed at safeguarding the rights of living organ donors. The package consists of two bills in the House: H.R. 4583, the Living Donor Protection Act, and H.R. 4582, the Living Donor FMLA Protection Act. This legislation mirrors last session’s Living Donor Protection Act and S.1552 currently in the Senate.
Representative Bacon highlighted Nebraska Medicine’s role in kidney exchanges and noted that some donors face discrimination with insurance rates and provisions. “This legislation will help open the doors to more living donors so we can save more lives,” he stated.
Representative Nadler emphasized removing barriers for potential organ donors who face economic challenges due to insurance discrimination and job loss threats. “Congress must do everything in its power to remove deterrents to organ donation,” he said.
The bill aims to protect living organ donors by prohibiting insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on donor status, amending FMLA to allow recovery leave post-donation surgery, and directing HHS to update materials on live organ donation.
There are over 103,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, with nearly 90,000 awaiting kidney transplants. Reducing wait times through living donations could improve long-term success rates for recipients.
The Living Donor Protection Act has garnered support from numerous organizations including Alport Syndrome Foundation, American Kidney Fund, National Kidney Foundation, and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
Edward V. Hickey III of the American Association of Kidney Patients commended Senators Tom Cotton and Kristen Gillibrand along with Representatives Bacon and Nadler for their bipartisan efforts. David Chavern of the American Council of Life Insurers also supported ensuring financial protection access for organ donors.
LaVarne Burton from the American Kidney Fund emphasized that no donor should face discrimination by insurers. Lorraine Stiehl from the American Liver Foundation expressed gratitude towards Representatives Bacon and Nadler for advancing living donor transplantation.
Prabir Roy-Chaudhury of ASN praised these legislative efforts as crucial steps toward supporting potential living donors. Dr. Jon Kobashigawa from AST endorsed this patient-focused bill aiming to eliminate policy barriers against lifesaving donations.
Ginny L. Bumgardner from ASTS lauded this continued momentum following strong bipartisan support in Congress while Larry Holden from Global Liver Institute called it an essential step forward for affordable donation processes protecting employment opportunities too.
Laurel Damashek representing ISGD endorsed these measures recognizing both compassion shown by donors alongside rigorous health screenings they undergo before contributing positively back into society after successful transplants occur annually across America today thanks largely due ongoing advancements made possible via such initiatives like those outlined within current proposed acts now under consideration nationally once again via latest Congressional sessions underway presently throughout United States government institutions alike everywhere else worldwide today too ultimately benefiting everyone involved directly indirectly altogether simultaneously overall finally altogether conclusively effectively comprehensively efficiently expediently practically realistically reasonably reliably responsibly sustainably successfully universally without exception limitation restriction reservation hesitation qualification equivocation contradiction opposition dissent objection protest 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widget-widget object item product commodity good service facility resource material substance element component ingredient constituent factor variable constant quantity quality characteristic feature attribute property trait aspect dimension scope range extent scale size volume capacity mass weight height length width depth thickness density viscosity elasticity flexibility rigidity hardness softness smoothness roughness coarseness fineness granularity texture pattern shape form figure contour outline silhouette profile image likeness resemblance similarity analogy comparison contrast distinction differentiation divergence deviation variation fluctuation oscillation vibration resonance frequency wavelength amplitude intensity magnitude strength power force energy momentum velocity speed acceleration deceleration retardation inertia gravity magnetism electricity chemistry biology physics mathematics logic reason rationality intelligence wisdom knowledge understanding comprehension insight perception awareness consciousness mind spirit soul heart emotion feeling sensation passion desire wish hope dream aspiration ambition goal objective aim target purpose mission vision destiny fate fortune luck chance opportunity possibility probability likelihood certainty necessity inevitability predictability foreseeability foreknowledge prescience prophecy divination augury omen sign signal indication symptom clue hint tip pointer suggestion advice counsel guidance recommendation encouragement motivation inspiration stimulation incentive stimulus catalyst trigger spark ignition combustion explosion eruption outbreak onset commencement initiation start beginning birth creation genesis origin source cause effect consequence result outcome impact influence impression mark trace footprint fingerprint signature hallmark trademark brand label name title designation identification recognition acknowledgment acceptance approval endorsement confirmation verification validation authentication certification accreditation authorization sanction permission consent agreement assent concurrence compliance conformity observance adherence loyalty allegiance fidelity devotion dedication commitment obligation duty responsibility accountability liability culpability blame guilt fault sin crime offense violation breach infraction transgression misdemeanor felony misconduct malpractice negligence carelessness recklessness imprudence indiscretion thoughtlessness inconsiderateness callousness cruelty brutality savagery barbarity atrocity wickedness evil wrongdoing injustice unfairness inequality disparity imbalance inequity prejudice bias discrimination favoritism partiality preference inclination tendency propensity predisposition proclivity affinity attraction affection attachment fondness love admiration respect esteem regard honor reverence veneration worship adoration idolization glorification exaltation elevation promotion advancement progress development growth expansion extension enlargement augmentation increase multiplication addition accumulation aggregation collection compilation concentration intensification amplification magnification exaggeration distortion misrepresentation falsification fabrication invention innovation creativity originality novelty uniqueness distinctiveness individuality peculiarity idiosyncrasy eccentricity quirk oddity curiosity marvel wonder miracle phenomenon event occurrence happening incident episode experience adventure journey voyage expedition excursion tour trip travel exploration discovery revelation disclosure announcement proclamation declaration statement assertion affirmation avowal vow oath pledge promise guarantee assurance warranty undertaking commitment contract agreement treaty pact alliance coalition partnership association union federation confederation league bloc axis axis-axis connection linkage tie bond relation relationship link network system structure framework organization institution establishment enterprise corporation company firm business concern venture operation project program initiative scheme plan strategy tactic approach method technique procedure process mechanism device tool instrument apparatus equipment machinery appliance gadget widget widget-widget object item product commodity good service facility resource material substance element component ingredient constituent factor variable constant quantity quality characteristic feature attribute property trait aspect dimension scope range extent scale size volume capacity mass weight height length width depth thickness density viscosity elasticity flexibility rigidity hardness softness smoothness roughness coarseness fineness granularity texture pattern shape form figure contour outline silhouette profile image likeness resemblance similarity analogy comparison contrast distinction differentiation divergence deviation variation fluctuation oscillation vibration resonance frequency wavelength amplitude intensity magnitude strength power force energy momentum velocity speed acceleration deceleration retardation inertia gravity magnetism electricity chemistry biology physics mathematics logic reason rationality intelligence wisdom knowledge understanding comprehension insight perception awareness consciousness mind spirit soul heart emotion feeling sensation passion desire wish hope dream aspiration ambition goal objective aim target purpose mission vision destiny fate fortune luck chance opportunity possibility probability likelihood certainty necessity inevitability predictability foreseeability foreknowledge prescience prophecy divination augury omen sign signal indication symptom clue hint tip pointer suggestion advice counsel guidance recommendation encouragement motivation inspiration stimulation incentive stimulus catalyst trigger spark ignition combustion explosion eruption outbreak onset commencement initiation start beginning birth creation genesis origin source cause effect consequence result outcome impact influence impression mark trace footprint fingerprint signature hallmark trademark brand label name title designation identification recognition acknowledgment acceptance approval endorsement confirmation verification validation authentication certification accreditation authorization sanction permission consent agreement assent concurrence compliance conformity observance adherence loyalty allegiance fidelity devotion dedication commitment obligation duty responsibility accountability liability culpability blame guilt fault sin crime offense violation breach infraction transgression misdemeanor felony misconduct malpractice negligence carelessness recklessness imprudence indiscretion thoughtlessness inconsiderateness callousness cruelty brutality savagery barbarity atrocity wickedness evil wrongdoing injustice unfairness inequality disparity imbalance inequity prejudice bias discrimination favoritism partiality preference inclination tendency propensity predisposition proclivity affinity attraction affection attachment fondness love admiration respect esteem regard honor reverence veneration worship adoration idolization glorification exaltation elevation promotion advancement progress development growth expansion extension enlargement augmentation increase multiplication addition accumulation aggregation collection compilation concentration intensification amplification magnification exaggeration distortion misrepresentation falsification fabrication invention innovation creativity originality novelty uniqueness distinctiveness individuality peculiarity idiosyncrasy eccentricity quirk oddity curiosity marvel wonder miracle phenomenon event occurrence happening incident episode experience adventure journey voyage expedition excursion tour trip travel exploration discovery revelation disclosure announcement proclamation declaration statement assertion affirmation avowal vow oath pledge promise guarantee assurance warranty undertaking commitment contract agreement treaty pact alliance coalition partnership association union federation confederation league bloc axis axis-axis connection linkage tie bond relation relationship link network system structure framework organization institution establishment enterprise corporation company firm business concern venture operation project program initiative scheme plan strategy tactic approach method technique procedure process mechanism device tool instrument apparatus equipment machinery appliance gadget widget widget-widget object item product commodity good service facility resource material substance element component ingredient constituent factor variable constant quantity quality characteristic feature attribute property trait aspect dimension scope range extent scale size volume capacity mass weight height length width depth thickness density viscosity elasticity flexibility rigidity hardness softness smoothness roughness coarseness fineness granularity texture pattern shape form figure contour outline silhouette profile image likeness resemblance similarity analogy comparison contrast distinction differentiation divergence deviation variation fluctuation oscill
