Honor Our Living Donors Act
Honor Our Living Donors Act
Plain Language Summary
# Honor Our Living Donors Act Summary **What it does:** This bill would make changes to a federal program that reimburses living organ donors for expenses they incur when donating (such as travel, lodging, and medical costs). Currently, the program considers the organ recipient's income when deciding if a donor qualifies for reimbursement—specifically, the recipient's income cannot exceed 350% of the federal poverty level. The bill would remove this income restriction, meaning donors could receive reimbursement regardless of how much money the recipient makes.
It would also allow donors to be reimbursed even if the recipient doesn't pay them back for the expenses. **Who it affects:** Living organ donors and their recipients would be the primary beneficiaries. Donors who give kidneys, parts of livers, or other organs while alive would potentially have easier access to expense reimbursement. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study whether current reimbursements adequately cover donors' costs. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Honor Our Living Donors ActThis bill modifies certain criteria used to determine eligibility under the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, which reimburses organ donors for certain incidental expenses related to organ donation (e.g., travel expenses). The bill specifies that the organ recipient's income may not be considered in determining whether an organ donor may be reimbursed under the program. (Currently, an organ recipient's income may not be greater than 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.) Additionally, under the bill, organ donors may be reimbursed regardless of whether the organ recipient pays them (or could be expected to pay them) for their expenses.The Department of Health and Human Services must report on whether the program adequately covers the expenses of organ donors, and if not, the amount of necessary funding.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.