Congressman Tom Barrett (D-WI) has introduced legislation designed to increase availability of organs for transplantation by authorizing grants to cover certain costs of travel and expenses for those who offer organs for living donation.

The bill, titled the Organ Donation Improvement Act of 2001, would authorize appropriation of $5 million annually to reimburse expenses for individuals who donate organs to a recipient who lives in another state. The grants would only be available in cases where the annual income of the recipient does not exceed $35,000.

The bill also authorizes a first-year appropriation of $15 million for grants by the Department of Health and Human Services to states or non-profit organizations for studies or demonstration projects designed to increase cadaver organ donation.

In order to be eligible, a state either has to establish or enhance an existing state organ donor registry

“It is time to think outside the box when it comes to procuring more organs for transplants,” Barrett said. “By educating the public on this issue and actively reaching out to people to donate viable organs, we can save thousands of lives."

Other Sources: Congressman Tom Barrett