December 11, 2007
UNOS Statement Regarding the Charlie W. Norwood Living Organ Donation Act
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) commends the U.S. Congress for its passage of the Charlie W. Norwood Living Organ Donation Act. This act clarifies the legal basis for paired transplants of compatible living donors and recipients.
This measure could result in thousands more kidney transplants and savings of hundreds of millions of dollars to Medicare by allowing the pairing of two or more intended living donors with biologically compatible recipients. Since 2004, UNOS has been on record endorsing the development of a national registry to facilitate kidney paired donations, thus greatly broadening the pool of candidates who may benefit from this procedure.
The bill honors the memory of the late Rep. Charlie Norwood of Georgia, sponsor of the bill in the House. Rep. Norwood was a lung transplant recipient and a tireless advocate for others in need of lifesaving transplantation. UNOS also wishes to thank Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the sponsor of the Senate bill.
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