H.R.628 - Honor Our Living Donors Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.628, the Honor Our Living Donors Act, aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the process of organ donation. Specifically, it seeks to eliminate consideration of organ recipients' income when reimbursing expenses to living donors. The bill also removes the expectation of payments by organ recipients and mandates an annual report on the adequacy of funding for donor reimbursements.
Expected Effects
The bill, if enacted, would likely increase the number of living organ donors by reducing financial disincentives. It ensures that reimbursement decisions are based on the donor's needs, not the recipient's financial status. The annual report requirement will provide transparency and accountability regarding the program's effectiveness and funding needs.
Potential Benefits
- Increased organ donation rates due to reduced financial burden on living donors.
- Fairer reimbursement process, focusing on the donor's expenses rather than the recipient's income.
- Improved access to life-saving organ transplants for patients in need.
- Greater transparency and accountability in the organ donation reimbursement program through annual reporting.
- Reduced financial strain on living donors, promoting altruistic donation.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in administrative costs associated with processing reimbursements without considering recipient income.
- Possible strain on existing grant funding if the number of donors increases significantly.
- Risk of fraudulent claims for reimbursement if oversight is insufficient.
- The annual report may reveal funding inadequacies, leading to pressure for increased government spending.
- Limited impact if other barriers to organ donation, such as lack of awareness or logistical challenges, are not addressed.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it promotes public health by facilitating organ donation. Congress has the power to enact legislation related to health under the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).