Some states offer tax incentives for organ donors

An article today from NPR examines a recent study by Massachusetts General Hospital on the tax incentives offered by certain states for organ donors to help defer expenses related to the event. Legally, there can be no out of pocket expenses for the operation itself, or related medical procedures, but the donor will typically incur related expenses such as time taken off work, lost wages, travel, and other household costs related to recuperation. The article states that "the financial burden for a living kidney donor can range from $907 to $3,089."  States that now offer tax breaks for organ donors include Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The study found the tax breaks ineffective as financial incentives for organ donation. Donation rates have remained flat within two years of passage, and the waiting list for kidneys, livers and bone marrow exceeds 100,000 patients.  Perhaps the tax breaks need to offer greater household savings? By federal statute, it's illegal to pay someone for the organ itself. For the full article, click here. If you have comments or opinions to share about this information, please feel free to post below.

I also heard recently that blood donation levels at the American Red Cross are at emergency levels for all blood types. This is a crisis in the US, and with all of the current political controversy about our health care system,the public needs to know that one of the greatest ways to make an impact as an individual is to be a donor- whether it is by giving blood, becoming a living donor, or registering as a deceased organ donor. Contact the Red Cross or National Organ Registry for more information.

PS- not much news about the transplant for Patrick as of today. We are still waiting (!) to hear from Wake Forest and Carolina Medical Center about their evaluations. Thankfully, Patrick is feeling MUCH better now that he has been back on hemodialysis for about a month, so some healing has taken place during the time, physically, mentally and emotionally. Thank you, again, for your prayers and support.

with love,
Kate