Urges U.S. President and Congress to enact legislation giving registered organ donors priority in organ allocations.
Summary
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 119 (ACR119) urges the United States President and Congress to enact legislation that prioritizes registered organ donors during the allocation of organs. This resolution aims to address the current challenges in organ donation and transplantation by ensuring that those who commit to organ donation are recognized and prioritized in cases when they themselves require transplants. The resolution emphasizes the need to increase the number of organ donors, as approximately 45% of American adults are currently registered, yet there are still over 122,000 individuals awaiting transplants in the United States.
The resolution draws attention to the high demand for organ transplants, highlighting that 22 people die daily while waiting for organs, and underscores the potential of one donor to save up to eight lives. New Jersey currently boasts approximately 2.5 million registered organ donors. However, it also recognizes that many registered individuals may ultimately be unable to donate due to health issues, age, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Reference is made to a successful organ donation policy in Israel that increased donor registration significantly. By creating a priority system for registered donors, it is argued that similar outcomes could be achieved in the United States. ACR119 seeks to capitalize on this concept, proposing that registered organ donors receive priority in cases of allocation to medically appropriate recipients, bolstering the national effort to improve donor rates.
While the resolution does not directly change state laws, it aims to influence national policy and foster a broader commitment to organ donation. It calls for supportive action from the federal government to recognize and facilitate the increase of registered organ donorship based on successful examples from other countries. Nevertheless, the resolution may also face contention regarding fairness and prioritization in medical care, as the ethical considerations surrounding the allocation of scarce medical resources are often complex.
Relating to the deceased, including requirements for donating or claiming bodies or anatomical specimens, the licensing and regulation of persons who provide services or conduct education or research in relation to the deceased, and responsibilities of political subdivisions for certain bodies after death; creating criminal offenses; authorizing administrative penalties; requiring occupational licenses; authorizing fees.
Health; prohibit certain health care providers and facilities from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to their vaccine status