Statement on the Passage of the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act

Washington, DC (November 12, 2013) – Rep. Jan Schakowsky statement on the passage of the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act:

“Today, with the passage of the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, the House has taken another step forward in improving access to health care for people living with HIV/AIDS. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I am pleased that we are moving to allow organ donations from HIV-infected donors to HIV-positive patients on the waiting list for organ transplants.

“The Act is a common sense step forward to improving access to organ transplantation. Our medical and scientific understanding of HIV/AIDS has changed dramatically since the institution of this ban and our policy should reflect such changes. The HIV Organ Policy Equity Act could increase the organ donation pool by 500 to 600 donors a year and save the lives of hundreds of HIV positive individual who are in need of organ transplants.

“The Affordable Care Act is making health coverage more available and affordable for people living with HIV/AIDS by eliminating medical underwriting, prohibiting denials based on health status, and banning annual or lifetime limits on benefits. Today’s passage of the 2013 HIV Organ Policy Equity Act adds to those protections by expanding medical options for those who need organ transplants.”

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