DelBene, Obernolte Bill to Increase Organ Donations, Save Lives Signed into Law

Today, bipartisan legislation to increase the number of living organ donors eligible for federal assistance was signed into law. The Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act, introduced by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Jay Obernolte (CA-23), will allow more donors to qualify for wage, travel, and caregiver reimbursement when donating organs.

"No one should be prevented from saving a life because of the bills they incur during the process. This law will help ensure that living donors have the support they need during the donation process and that patients waiting for transplants have a greater chance at receiving one," said DelBene.

"The HOLD Act removes unnecessary financial barriers that can prevent Americans from becoming living organ donors. No one should be forced to choose between saving a life and absorbing thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. By ensuring federal support is based on the donor's circumstances rather than the recipient's, this law expands access to transplantation, supports donors, and helps more families get the second chance they are desperately need," said Obernolte.

Income restrictions currently limit who can be reimbursed for becoming a living organ donor. 91% of living donors are forced to shoulder the financial burden of their donation because of the income of the organ recipient. The HOLD Act eliminates these income-based eligibility restrictions, helping ensure that all living donors, regardless of the recipient's financial status, will be able to access the federal organ donation reimbursement program. This law will support the more than 37 million Americans living with chronic kidney diseases, including the more than 800,000 patients with kidney failure.

The HOLD Act was introduced in the House of Representatives in January 2025. It passed the House in the government funding package on January 22. The Senate changed the larger funding package on January 30 and sent it back to the House. The House approved the amended funding deal on February 3, and the president signed it later that day.