Organ Transplant Bill Heads to President

Press Release

Organ Transplant Bill Heads to President

After unanimous agreement by both the U.S. Senate and House, the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Organ Transplant Act of 2008, heads to President George W. Bush for his signature. The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by U.S Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jim Costa (D-CA) and Dave Camp (R-MI). It increases authorization for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) to $7 million, the first increase to the OPTN since 1984.

"The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network is an excellent organization that provides the framework for hospitals and public and private organizations across the country to work together to save lives," said Sen. Dorgan. "Over the years the private partners have contributed far more than the federal government, and I am glad that we are finally fulfilling the commitment we made when we created the network by increasing our share of the funding."

"This much-needed piece of legislation will boost the critical services provided by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) to thousands of patients," said Rep. DeGette, Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. "With a modest increase in funds, the services provided by the OPTN can serve as a lifeline to many. And I am happy to say that the work of the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones lives on in this legislation as it does with her generous donation of her organs and tissues."

"This legislation reaffirms our nation's commitment to providing life saving health care through transplantation and at the same time, honors our late colleague, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who gave the gift of life by becoming an organ donor," said Costa. "Whether it is a kidney transplant that ends a patient's need for dialysis or a liver transplant that gives a person the strength to play catch with their son or daughter, the impact of these life-saving procedures cannot be understated."

"It is a fitting tribute to name this bill in honor of our late colleague Stephanie Tubbs Jones. A dedicated public servant to the end, she too gave the Gift of Life that this bill supports. In expanding access to organ donation and transplant services we help thousands of Americans who are desperately awaiting life saving procedures," stated Rep. Camp.

The National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) of 1984 authorized the creation and operation of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), which facilitates the matching of deceased donor organs with individuals waiting for an organ transplant. Currently, NOTA limits federal support for the OPTN to no more than $2 million annually. This is approximately 8 percent of the current cost of operation of the OPTN. The remaining 92 percent of operating costs are paid with revenues generated by feeds the OPTN assesses transplant programs to register patients on the national donor waiting list.

The authorization for funding has not been increased since the enactment of NOTA in 1984, when the total operating costs for the OPTN were approximately $5 million. Right now, the projected cost of operating the OPTN in FY 2008 is approximately $27 million. The legislation is named after former Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones who donated her organs and tissues upon her death on August 20, 2008.

Costa co-founded the Congressional Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Caucus along with Representatives Camp (R-Michigan), Clay (D-Missouri) and Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida).

Both the U.S. Senate and House approved this legislation unanimously. It now heads the President for his signature.

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