Congress Passes HIV Organ Policy Equity Act (HOPE Act)
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Congress Passes HIV Organ Policy Equity Act (HOPE Act)
Legislation will lead to increases in life-saving donor organs and vital research in the area of HIV organ donation and transplantation
WASHINGTON, DC – November 13, 2013 – The American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing the majority of professionals engaged in the field of organ transplantation, applauded yesterday's action by the U.S. House of Representatives to bring the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act (HOPE Act) one step closer to being signed into law. The legislation, which has bipartisan support, has now passed in both the House of Representatives and Senate and will be sent to the President for final signature into law.
The HOPE Act amends the Public Health Service Act to establish safeguards and standards of quality for research of organs infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Once signed into law, it will expand the supply of life-saving organs available for transplantation to the more than 118,000 individuals currently languishing on the organ wait list.
“The HOPE Act is a common sense policy proposal that will improve the lives of many patients in need of organ transplants,” said Dr. Dan Salomon, President of the American Society of Transplantation. “The nation's transplant community is grateful that the House of Representatives and Senate have now both passed this vital legislation. The AST and its thousands of professionals worldwide strongly support this legislative proposal allowing for greater use of life saving donor organs and much needed research in the area of HIV organ donation and transplantation."
Passage of the HOPE Act in the House and Senate was championed by dozens of key leaders in Washington and led by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA), Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD) and Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
“AST and its patient and physician constituencies applaud Congress for taking this important step toward ensuring that our laws reflect and keep pace with the latest life saving techniques and medical research available,” continued Salomon. “Given the current political landscape, it is refreshing to see such bipartisan and bicameral efforts taking a common sense approach to improving and saving lives.”
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 3,100 transplant physicians, surgeons, scientists and allied health professionals. For more information about the Society, go to www.myAST.org.
# # #