Representatives Joe Wilson and Jerry Nadler have reintroduced the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act, which proposes a $5,000 refundable tax credit for living organ donors. This credit is aimed at those who have not been reimbursed by the National Living Organ Donor Assistance Center or any other entity for their donation-related expenses.
The Health Resources and Services Administration reports that 17 people die daily while waiting for an organ transplant. Currently, around 93,000 Americans are on the kidney transplant waitlist, with some waiting up to six years. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimate that dialysis costs the U.S. government over $20 billion annually. The proposed tax credit aims to increase the number of living donors, thereby saving lives and reducing taxpayer expenses.
Rep. Wilson stated, “The gift of living donation is truly priceless,” emphasizing that financial burdens should not deter potential donors. He recalled his predecessor’s experience with a double lung transplant and expressed gratitude towards Dr. Sesshadri Raju for performing the procedure in 1988.
Rep. Nadler highlighted the prohibitive costs faced by donors related to surgery, travel, lodging, follow-up care, and lost wages. He expressed pride in introducing this bill alongside Rep. Wilson to remove these financial barriers.
The bill has received endorsements from various organizations including the American Association of Kidney Patients and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). LaVarne Burton from the American Kidney Fund remarked on its importance in providing opportunities for individuals with limited resources to donate organs.
Meredith Atkinson from the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology emphasized that this legislation could encourage more living donations amidst declining rates in both pediatric and adult populations.
Dr. Jon Kobashigawa from the American Society of Transplantation praised Congressmen Wilson and Nadler’s leadership in addressing financial barriers preventing potential donors from providing lifesaving organs.
Kevin Longino from NKF supported the bill as it offers tax relief for documented unreimbursed donor expenses like childcare and travel without compromising organ donation’s altruistic nature.
Susan Bushnell from the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation called it a compassionate policy that could save lives while reducing reliance on costly dialysis treatments.
Lori Hartwell from Renal Support Network described living donors as heroes deserving acknowledgment through this straightforward reimbursement method.
Elaine Perlman from Waitlist Zero endorsed the act as a means to alleviate financial strain on donors, potentially increasing donor numbers after years of stagnation.
A copy of the legislation is available online.
