Modifying NOTA - Our Top Priorities are Ethics and Safety

Overcoming Legal and Economic Challenges

Skeptics Claim: The amount of regulatory oversight, coordination across different agencies, and political partnership might prove to be an insurmountable hurdle. Additionally, the financial systems would have to track, distribute and monitor this tax credit system.

 How we mitigate this concern:

  • Passage of a modification the National Organ Transplantation Act of 1984 will allow for the tax credit compensation systems

  • Establish the Kidney Donor Compensation and Protection Agency under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human (HHS)

  • Collaborate with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to facilitate the distribution of tax credits.

  • Work with national kidney exchange networks and transplant centers through oversight, data exchange, and identification of best practices

"This proposal bridges economic, legal, and logistical challenges through an achievable overhaul of the NOTA, collaboration with federal entities like the IRS, and fostering partnerships with existing organ networks. It's an economically prudent solution to the organ shortage."
- Sally Satel, MD, Yale Lecturer, Senior Fellow AEI, and Kidney Recipient

Modification of the
National Organ Transplantation Act of 1984

  • Legislative Advocacy: Push for a comprehensive legislative review and modification of the National Organ Transplantation Act of 1984 to make provisions for a tax credit compensation system.

  • Legislative Partnership: Partner with lawmakers to draft legislation that accounts for the complexity and sensitivity of kidney donation, ensuring it is equitable, fair, and ethical.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Involve key stakeholders, including medical professionals, bioethicists, and patient advocacy groups, in the process to ensure a balanced and informed approach.

Establishment of the Kidney Donor Compensation and Protection Agency

  • CompensatiAgency Formation: Advocate for the formation of a dedicated Kidney Donor Compensation and Protection Agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to oversee donor protection and compensation.

  • Agency Framework: Develop a robust operational framework for the agency that includes monitoring mechanisms, audit protocols, and a grievance redressal system to address any issues arising in the process.

Creating Collaboration with the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

  • Partnership for Tax Credit Distribution: Collaborate with the IRS to design a streamlined, user-friendly process for kidney donors to claim their tax credits.

  • Ongoing Support and Assistance: Work with the IRS to provide ongoing support to donors throughout the tax credit claiming process, ensuring they understand and can easily navigate the system.

Working with National Kidney Exchange Networks and Transplant Centers

  • Strategic Alliances: Foster strategic alliances with kidney exchange networks and transplant centers to exchange data, share best practices, and collaborate on initiatives that support kidney donors and recipients.

  • Regular Reviews and Audits: Conduct regular reviews and audits of these partnerships to ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, donor safety protocols, and fair compensation practices.

  • Performance Improvement: Use data from these collaborations to continuously improve the donor experience and ensure the highest standards of care and support are being met.

Top Priorities: Ethics and Safety

  • Protecting Intrinsic Value

    "In my professional experience, this proposal blends rigorous safety and ethical considerations, making compensated kidney donation a viable, safe, and respectful option for addressing the organ shortage."

    - Dr. Matt Harmody, Emergency Room MD, Non-Directed Kidney Donor

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  • Preventing Exploitation of Vulnerable Americans

    "With the proposed safeguards and education, this plan provides a mindful approach to kidney donation, protecting those most vulnerable while meeting urgent needs."

    - Trisha Phillips, Kidney DonorCommunity Organizer/ Advocate

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  • Overcoming Legal and Economic Challenges

    "This proposal bridges economic, legal, and logistical challenges through an achievable overhaul of the NOTA, collaboration with federal entities like the IRS, and fostering partnerships with existing organ networks. It's an economically prudent solution to the organ shortage."

    - Sally Satel, MD, Yale Lecturer, Senior Fellow AEI, and Kidney Recipient

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  • Safeguarding the Slippery Slope

    ""Compensating kidney donors does not equate to commodification. With careful ethical oversight and societal consensus, we can ensure the practice remains focused on maintaining donor safety above all else - while saving countless lives by creating a more equitable system for all donors and recipients."

    - Kari Rancourt, Living Donor Coordinator / Non-Directed Kidney Donor

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