HB2027 up for hearing on Tuesday, 3/31/09
The revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act which was written by the NCCUSL (National Conference of Commissioners on State Laws) and passed by 25 state legislatures, will be coming up for a committee hearing in the Texas House Public Health Committee on Tues., March 31.
The transplant community in Texas overwhelmingly supports this legislation. If you would like to help get this bill passed, please call or email members of the House Public Health Committee. (Click here to view members of the committee: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=81R&CmteCode=C410)
Here’s a link to the actual bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB2027
Finally, here’s a bit of background and some key points about the bill:
This Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (“UAGA”) is promulgated by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (“NCCUSL”) to address this critical shortage. The original UAGA was promulgated by NCCUSL in 1968 and promptly enacted by all states. In 1987, the UAGA was revised and updated, but only 26 states adopted that version. Since 1987, many states have adopted non-uniform amendments to their anatomical gift acts. The law among the various states is no longer uniform and harmonious, and the diversity of law is an impediment to transplantation. Furthermore the federal government has been increasingly active in the organ transplant process.
Since 1967, there also have been substantial improvements in the technology and practice of organ, eye, and tissue transplantation and therapy. Also, the need for organs, eyes, and tissue for research and education has increased to assure more successful transplantations and therapies. The improvements in technology and needs of the research community have correspondingly increased the need for more donors.
This proposed UAGA:
- more accurately reflects the environment in which the donation process operates
- seeks to bring conformity with the federal National Organ Transplant Act and Medicare Regulations
- supports state donor registries
- upholds individual autonomy by clarifying the ability to make a binding personal decision for or against the donation of organs, tissue and eyes at the time of death
- still adheres to an “opt-in” principle as the default rule for donation
- still limits its scope to donations from deceased donors
If you would like a more detailed analysis of the bill, please email me at lreece@transplanttexas.org
Thanks,
Laurie Reece
