Gov Hochul Signs New York State Living Donor Support Act into Law
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed legislation (S.1594/A.146A) into law, enacting the New York State Living Donors Support Act, the first state program in the nation allowing individuals to be reimbursed for the costs of kidney and liver donations.
“There is no greater gift a New Yorker can give than the gift of saving a life,” Governor Hochul said. “Living organ donors are true heroes, and with this legislation, we are taking meaningful steps to support their sacrifice and save lives.”
Living people can donate a kidney or a portion of their liver, but the surgery can require weeks of recovery. The goal of the new law is to increase the number of donors by eliminating financial barriers such as the cost of taking weeks off of work, according to a report in the Times Union.
The Times Union report also said that costs that can be reimbursed include lost wages for up to four weeks, unless there are special circumstances, such as a physical labor job, for which the donor could be reimbursed for up to eight weeks. They could also be reimbursed for the monetary value of sick or vacation days used for donating, travel and lodging, child care and elder care. Medications and health care, including care provided by the donor’s family, could also be reimbursed, according to the report.
This legislation is intended to help eliminate barriers to organ donation, in order to bring New York up from its low rank in organ donation among states. There are currently 8,569 people on transplant wait lists, 7,234 of whom are awaiting a kidney.
State Senator Gustavo Rivera said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing my bill, The New York State Living Donor Support Act, into law. By removing financial barriers and educating New Yorkers about living organ donation, this important effort will help reverse New York’s low organ donor registration rates, where we rank almost last at the national level. With expanded assistance for those inspired to become organ donors, I am confident this new law will help more New Yorkers give and receive the gift of life.”
Assemblymember Richard Gottfried said, “Living donors, such as people who donate one kidney, deserve our gratitude and support. We should protect them by making sure they are covered for medical expenses and lost income. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law and the organ donation advocates, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Senate sponsor Gustavo Rivera for their efforts moving it forward.”