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Hochul signs NYS Living Donor Support Act into law

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Tue, Jan 3rd 2023 01:25 pm

Legislation provides state reimbursement to living organ donors from New York for expenses incurred as result of donation

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation (S.1594/A.146A) into law, enacting the New York State Living Donors Support Act, the first state program in the nation allowing individuals to be reimbursed for the costs of kidney and liver donations.

"There is no greater gift a New Yorker can give than the gift of saving a life," Hochul said. "Living organ donors are true heroes and, with this legislation, we are taking meaningful steps to support their sacrifice and save lives."

A press release stated, “Legislation S.1594/A.146A amends the public health, tax and social services laws to enact the ‘New York State Living Donor Support Act,’ which would establish a program to cover extra costs associated with organ donation for New York residents who donate to a fellow New Yorker. It works to eliminate financial barriers to organ donation to reduce wait times for organ transplants and address the organ shortage in New York.”

This legislation is intended to help eliminate barriers to organ donation, in order to bring New York up from its low rank in organ donation among states. There are currently 8,569 people on transplant wait lists, 7,234 of whom are awaiting a kidney.

Assembly member Richard Gottfried said, "Living donors, such as people who donate one kidney, deserve our gratitude and support. We should protect them by making sure they are covered for medical expenses and lost income.”

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