DelBene, Miller, Schrier Introduce Bill to Remove Financial Barriers for Living Organ Donors

Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Carol Miller (WV-01), and Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08) introduced legislation to provide more support to living organ donors and address the increasingly high costs of donation. The Expanding Support for Living Donors Act would remove financial barriers that prevent many people from donating life-saving organs.

Every day, 13 Americans die waiting for an organ transplant. There are more than 100,000 people on the transplant waitlist, and every eight minutes, another person is added. A transplant provides a new lease on life, but our current system is insufficient to meet the needs of patients.

While the rate of deceased donations has improved in recent years following Congressional action, the rate of living donations has flatlined over the past two decades. This is largely due to the high out-of-pocket costs of donating, which can exceed $10,000. Travel expenses, child care, and lost wages from missing work are all major costs that donors can incur in the process. The existing federal donor reimbursement program only provides up to $6,000 for donation-related expenses, which is often not enough, and income restrictions disqualify many people from accessing these benefits.

"Donors give the gift of life to their fellow Americans, but too often they're held back by high personal out-of-pocket costs. No one should have to choose between saving a life and paying their bills. This legislation would remove unnecessary financial barriers that contribute to the transplant list growing every year. By making donations more accessible, we can help more patients receive the life-saving transplants they need," said DelBene.

"Becoming a living organ donor is an extraordinary act of generosity, but for many Americans the financial costs tied to donation remain a serious barrier. No one who steps forward to save a life should be left worrying about lost wages or out-of-pocket expenses. This is why I was so happy to partner with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene to reintroduce the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which strengthens and modernizes the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program by extending it through 2037. This way we can expand eligibility and increase reimbursement amounts beginning in fiscal year 2027. By updating this program to reflect today's economic realities, we can better support donors and help ensure more patients receive the life-saving transplants they need," said Miller.

"As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the life-changing impact that organ donations have and know that these donations add years to recipients' lives, giving them a new lease on life and precious, additional time spent with their family and loved ones," said Schrier. "Unfortunately, living donors often face burdensome financial barriers when trying to donate, such as travel costs and lost wages. These barriers can be the only obstacle standing between patients and the lifesaving care that they need. That's why I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to help address this issue and increase access by expanding financial assistance to living donors."

The bill would:

• Reauthorize the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program through 2037.
• Increase the maximum reimbursement amount to $10,000 and peg it to inflation.
• Double the income eligibility to about $100,000 a year.
• Require an annual report on the program.

The legislation has been updated to reflect that the Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act, introduced by DelBene and Jay Obernolte (CA-23), was signed into law earlier this year. The law allows more donors to qualify for wage, travel, and caregiver reimbursement when donating. \

The bill is supported by the following patient advocacy and medical groups: National Kidney Foundation, American Society of Nephrology, Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance, American Kidney Fund, Waitlist Zero, Centers for Dialysis Care, Central Florida Kidney Centers, Independent Dialysis Foundation, Northwest Kidney Centers, Puget Sound Kidney Centers, Renal Physicians Association, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Liver Foundation, American Nephrology Nurses Association, Dialysis Patient Citizens, Ardelyx, Washington State Hospital Association, American Diabetes Association, DaVita, Fresenius, American Medical Association, and The Rogosin Institute.

"Giving a life-saving organ as a living donor is one of the greatest possible gifts. The American Society of Nephrology believes that living donation should be a cost-neutral act and commends the introduction of the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act," said Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN, President, American Society of Nephrology. "This bipartisan bill breaks down barriers to living organ donation by covering more out-of-pocket costs incurred during the living donation process for most Americans, enshrining our nation's commitment to those who give the gift of life."

"In the United States, twelve people die every day waiting for a kidney transplant," said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. "Living donors make an extraordinary and selfless choice to save lives, and they should never face financial barriers because of that generosity. Strengthening the National Living Donor Assistance Center will help remove those barriers and ensure more patients have a chance to receive the life-saving transplant they need."

"The American Kidney Fund is proud to support the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which would increase the number of living donors eligible for important federal programs," said LaVarne Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund. "There are many Americans moved to donate a kidney that may hesitate because they can't afford time off, dependent care, transportation or lodging. By improving access to federal support, this legislation would ultimately help ensure more people on the kidney transplant waiting list receive the life-saving transplant they need."