AST President Attends White House Oval Office Signing of HOPE Act
Thursday, November 21, 2013
President Obama Signs HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act; Joined by the American Society of Transplantation (AST)
AST President attends White House Oval Office ceremony to witness the historic signing of important organ transplant legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - November 21, 2013 - AST President Dr. Daniel Salomon joined President Obama today at the White House as he signed S. 330, the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act. The legislation, which enjoyed bipartisan and bicameral support, seeks to expand the supply of life-saving organs available for transplantation to the more than 118,000 individuals currently on the organ waitlist.
During the small Oval Office gathering, Dr. Salomon thanked President Obama and expressed AST's gratitude for the enactment of an important patient-focused bill that will make the gift-of-life a reality for more individuals awaiting a life-saving donor organ. AST's longtime Director of Government Relations, Bill Applegate, in the Washington, DC office of law firm Bryan Cave, LLP spearheaded the AST's efforts in the passage of this legislation.
“We are honored and humbled to have led the efforts to enact a law that will undoubtedly enhance and strengthen the field of transplantation,” said Dr. Daniel Salomon, President of the American Society of Transplantation. “The HOPE Act is a common sense policy that signifies the importance of continuing to examine and evolve the safeguards and standards of quality for research of organs. This historic occasion would not have been possible without the undaunted efforts of Bill Applegate, the AST Public Policy Committee, and our grassroots leaders who work tirelessly to advance legislative and regulatory proposals aimed at improving our nation's transplant system."
Dr. Salomon applauded Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA), Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Andy Harris (R-MD) and Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) for working in a bipartisan effort to pass legislation during a very challenging time on Capitol Hill. The HOPE Act amends the Public Health Service Act to establish safeguards and standards of quality for research of organs infected with HIV.
The American Society of Transplantation is an international organization of transplant professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy and organ donation. The Society comprises more than 3,200 transplant physicians, surgeons, scientists and allied health professionals.
About The American Society of Transplantation (AST)
The American Society of Transplantation (AST) is an organization of transplant professionals who are dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, and organ donation. The Society comprises more than 3,200 transplant physicians, surgeons, scientists and allied health professionals. For more information about the Society, go to www.myast.org.
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