Bills
| 3.23.22

Should the VA be Allowed to Provide Organ Transplants For Vets When the Living Donor is a Non-Veteran? (H.R. 1133)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 1133?

(Updated October 5, 2018)

This bill would authorize the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide organ transplants for veterans, even if the living donor is a non-veteran, at the VA or non-VA facility of their choice. The VA would provide the donor with any care or services that may be required before and after conducting such a procedure. Current law prohibits veterans from receiving an organ donation from a non-veteran under the VA system.

Argument in favor

Current law foolishly prohibits veterans from receiving an organ transplant from a non-veteran within the VA system. This bill puts an end to that, enabling veterans to get the organ transplants they need at the facility of their choice.

Argument opposed

The VA healthcare system should only be available to veterans, and if a vet needs an organ transplant from a non-veteran they should have to do it without the VA’s support.

Impact

Veterans in need of an organ transplant; non-veteran organ donors; VA and non-VA healthcare facilities; and the VA.

Cost of H.R. 1133

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. John Carter (R-TX) introduced this bill to allow the VA to provide transplants for veterans, even if the living donor is a non-veteran, at the facility of their choice:

“The Veterans Transplant Coverage Act was inspired by the Nelson family from my district. Charles Nelson served his country nobly and is now 100% disabled. When Charles needed a kidney transplant, his son, Austin, was a match. When it came time for the operation, the VA system denied him coverage. The VA’s decision forced the Nelson’s to solicit donations to complete the transplant surgery to save Charles’ life. After hearing that the Nelson’s had to fundraise and drain their savings because of the VA’s policy, I knew that I had to bring this fight to Washington. Today, the Nelson family and I joined together to bring their story to Congress, so DC can understand that the VA’s policies have a real impact on our veterans and their families. Unfortunately, the Nelson’s story is one of far too many.   To the veterans that have come before and been denied life-saving coverage, you deserve better.”

This legislation passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on a voice vote and has the bipartisan support of 78 cosponsors, including 67 Republicans and 11 Democrats.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: sturti / iStock)