Congresswoman Carol Miller announced on Mar. 18 the reintroduction of the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at reducing financial barriers for Americans who wish to become living organ donors. Representatives Suzan DelBene and Kim Schrier joined Miller in sponsoring the legislation, which seeks to update and extend federal reimbursement programs for donors.
The bill addresses concerns that high out-of-pocket costs prevent many people from donating organs, despite the urgent need for transplants nationwide. According to Miller, “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.” She said the legislation would modernize and extend the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program through 2037, expand eligibility, and increase reimbursement amounts starting in fiscal year 2027.
DelBene said, “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.” Schrier added, “As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the life-changing impact that organ donations have… Unfortunately, living donors often face burdensome financial barriers when trying to donate, such as travel costs and lost wages.”
The proposed legislation has received support from several medical organizations including the National Kidney Foundation and American Society of Nephrology. Samir M. Parikh of the American Society of Nephrology said, “Giving a life-saving organ as a living donor is one of the greatest possible gifts… 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.” Kevin Longino of the National Kidney Foundation noted that strengthening assistance programs will help remove these barriers so more patients can receive needed transplants.
Every day in America, 17 people die waiting for an organ transplant and over 100,000 are currently on waitlists; more than 66,000 were added last year alone. The rate of deceased donations has improved recently due to Congressional action but living donations have remained flat over two decades—largely because related expenses can exceed $10,000 while current federal reimbursement caps at $6,000 with strict income limits.
If passed into law, this bill would reauthorize existing programs through 2037 while increasing maximum reimbursements up to $10,000 (adjusted for inflation), doubling income eligibility thresholds to about $100,000 per year and basing eligibility on donor rather than recipient income.
