Drive for Five: Tweak Time

The "Drive for Five" Network has been a vocal supporter of modifying an antiquated law concerning live organ donations. The law is called the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984. A young and handsome Congressman from Tennessee, Al Gore,? led the charge in passing legislation designed to do the following: “Congress passed (NOTA) to address the organ donation shortage and improve the organ-matching process.”

A grateful 66-year-old recipient of a new kidney from an angel in my midst who shared her spare? The above text describing the purpose of the 1984 legislation to address major problems in the system? The plea for more donations and better matches? NOTA is thriving on the latter and really struggling on the former.

DFF is blessed to have gotten to know many on the “improve the organ-matching process” side of this growing issue in America: too much kidney disease requiring dialysis and, eventually, a life-altering new organ. Also created with the NOTA legislation was the Organ Procurement Transportation Network to maintain a national system to best match organs and individuals.

There’s excellent work being done in this area bringing great relief to those needing an option to end-stage renal disease, faulty livers or bone marrow disorders. From the kidney side of things, I had great confidence those superstars working in the field of being “Match Makers” would deliver the best match possible. In the past 40 years? NOTA has been good law in “improving the organ-matching process.”

But let’s get to the other intent of 1984 NOTA: Addressing the organ donation shortage. Wow, we’re getting hammered in this area. If this was a youth sporting event, they’d call the mercy rule. In addressing what four decades ago was described as a shortage of organ donations? It’s gotten worse.

More than 100,000 Americans are languishing on transplant lists hoping and praying for this last-ditch effort to remain fogging a mirror. Most need a kidney, about 90%. Most of those folks are gonna die on the list. We have only about 27,000 transplants a year. 80% of them, from deceased donors. The gap is growing wider as donations stay stagnant while America becomes more riddled with the kidney killers: High blood pressure, diabetes and excessive weight.

The 1984 NOTA law needs modifying. Why? It hasn’t helped the organ donation shortage AT ALL! What to do?

Throw support behind the “End Kidney Deaths Act” currently before our nation’s House of Representatives. This NOTA tweak would offer Americans, willing to share their spare and save another’s life, a $50,000 federal tax credit. The credit would be spread over five years, $10K/year. This would be a pilot ten-year experiment to see if incentives would encourage more folks to consider live organ donation.

DFF is passionate about educating Americans that “You can live just fine with one kidney, offer a lobe of liver (it grows back) or donate bone marrow.” Many before DFF have shouted from the rooftops the same message. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t seem to be resonating. Since the turn of the century? Almost 25 years? The needle on live organ donations has been stuck at about 6,500 a year. America has about 75 million more folks in that quarter century, but the needle is stuck. We need to call an audible and tweak NOTA with passage of the End Kidney Deaths Act.” It will not solve the issue but it will help.

Our nation gives tax credits for solar panels and electric vehicles. Pays cash to those willing to share sperm, fertilized eggs and plasma. It’s time to compensate those willing to offer what they have in abundance to help another.

Opponents bark, “You’re selling organs. Not cool.” That’s hogwash. Qualifying to become a donor is difficult. Lots of testing. The gate is narrow. Nefarious folks looking to “game the system” will choose a far easier path.

Advocates for this sensible legislation need help. Please contact your lawmakers in Washington and voice your support. Projections over the pilot’s ten years suggest it will save 100,000 lives and taxpayers around $30 billion.

Save lives, money and makes sense. Wanna help? Make your voice heard with your lawmakers: https://actionbutton.nationbuilder.com/share/SPK-QENBSEA=