The Living Donor Protection Act of 2017 Reintroduced
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC - Wednesday, March 1, 2017 - The American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing the majority of professionals engaged in the field of organ transplantation, applauds the reintroduction of the "Living Donor Protection Act of 2017" by Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. The legislation seeks to:
1. Prohibit denial of coverage or increase in premiums of life or disability insurance for living organ donors;
2. Clarify organ donation surgery as qualifying as a serious health condition under FMLA; and
3. Update educational materials on the benefits of live organ donation.
The AST worked closely with Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and their staff to develop this important gift-of-life donor protection legislation. The promotion and protection of living donation is a top public policy priority for the Society. The Society’s Public Policy Committee regularly advocates and educates Congress and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the need to protect and encourage living organ donation.
"The American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing a majority of medical professionals engaged in the field of solid organ transplantation, strongly supports the reintroduction of the Living Donor Protection Act. The AST commends Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Jaime Herrera Beutler for seeking this common sense approach to protect and promote the gift of living organ donation. The Living Donor Protection Act of 2017 is a thoughtful public policy proposal that would immediately improve the lives of those seeking to donate life, individuals awaiting a lifesaving donor organ and their families,” stated AST’s President, Dr. Anil Chandraker.
The new co-sponsor of this legislation brings real life experience, as her husband donated his kidney to their daughter, Abigail, in 2016.
We encourage you to contact your congressional offices.