I've written before about NLDAC, the federally funded National Living Donor Assistance Center, which operates under many regulatory constraints. (I'm on their advisory board.)
Frank McCormick brings us up to date on recent steps to relax some of those constraints. Below I quote from his recent email:
"Since 2007, the federal government has had a program to reimburse low income organ donors for their travel and lodging expenses. This program is currently administered by National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) at the University of Arizona. The Secretary of Health and Human services (HHS) has the legal authority to administratively expand the mandate of this program. Toward that end, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has just scheduled a new rule change:
Title: Removing Financial Disincentives to Living Organ Donation
Abstract: This proposed rule would amend the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) final rule to further remove financial barriers to living organ donation by expanding allowable costs that can be reimbursed. The changes would apply to specified incidental nonmedical expenses incurred toward living organ donation.
2. The second front is centered on the Advisory Committee on Organ Transplant (ACOT), a non-government committee that advises the Secretary of HHS on organ transplant matters. At its meeting on May 20, the committee heard a very informative presentation by Robert Merion of NLDAC:
A key part of the presentation was NLDAC’s Vision for Expansion:
1. Expand eligibility for reimbursement to donors with incomes up to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines (it is currently 300%)
2. Waive income verification for donors needing less than $500
3. Approve applications from non-directed donors (i.e., living donors who do not have a specific intended recipient)
4. Reimburse wages lost due to organ donation
5. Reimburse child care/elder care expenses due to organ donation
6. Require NLDAC information to be given to all recipients and donors
ACOT endorsed the first five recommendations and forwarded them to the Secretary of HHS. "
Frank McCormick brings us up to date on recent steps to relax some of those constraints. Below I quote from his recent email:
"Since 2007, the federal government has had a program to reimburse low income organ donors for their travel and lodging expenses. This program is currently administered by National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) at the University of Arizona. The Secretary of Health and Human services (HHS) has the legal authority to administratively expand the mandate of this program. Toward that end, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has just scheduled a new rule change:
Title: Removing Financial Disincentives to Living Organ Donation
Abstract: This proposed rule would amend the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) final rule to further remove financial barriers to living organ donation by expanding allowable costs that can be reimbursed. The changes would apply to specified incidental nonmedical expenses incurred toward living organ donation.
2. The second front is centered on the Advisory Committee on Organ Transplant (ACOT), a non-government committee that advises the Secretary of HHS on organ transplant matters. At its meeting on May 20, the committee heard a very informative presentation by Robert Merion of NLDAC:
A key part of the presentation was NLDAC’s Vision for Expansion:
1. Expand eligibility for reimbursement to donors with incomes up to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines (it is currently 300%)
2. Waive income verification for donors needing less than $500
3. Approve applications from non-directed donors (i.e., living donors who do not have a specific intended recipient)
4. Reimburse wages lost due to organ donation
5. Reimburse child care/elder care expenses due to organ donation
6. Require NLDAC information to be given to all recipients and donors
ACOT endorsed the first five recommendations and forwarded them to the Secretary of HHS. "
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