Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it seeks to address a critical issue: the shortage of organs available for transplant. By requiring faster, automated communication between hospitals and organ procurement agencies, it aims to reduce delays in identifying potential donors. In organ donation, time is often critical, and quicker notification can mean the difference between an organ being viable for transplant or not. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more organs being successfully donated and more lives saved.

Conversely, if it doesn't become law, the existing, potentially slower, notification processes would continue. Voters should care because this bill directly impacts the efficiency of a system that saves lives. It also raises questions about data privacy and the administrative burden on hospitals, particularly smaller or rural ones, to implement these new technological requirements. The bill tries to balance these concerns by including exemptions and requiring guidance, but its real-world impact would depend on how smoothly these systems are implemented and managed.

KEY PROVISIONS

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Requires hospitals to provide automated electronic notification and remote access to electronic health records (EHRs) for organ procurement agencies when a patient is deceased or death is imminent.

This provision aims to significantly speed up the identification of potential organ donors, potentially increasing organ recovery rates.

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Allows for exemptions for hospitals facing significant hardship (like lack of internet in rural areas), cybersecurity attacks, or natural disasters.

This helps ensure that the new requirements do not unduly burden hospitals with limited resources or those dealing with emergencies.

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Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance on best practices for implementing the automated notification and EHR access, and for explaining these changes to donors and families.

This guidance will help hospitals and agencies understand how to best comply with the new rules and communicate them effectively to the public.

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Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the costs, impacts (especially on rural areas), and data security issues related to implementing these new requirements and report to Congress.

This study will provide important oversight and data on the effectiveness and challenges of the bill's implementation.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

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2 years after the date of enactment

Automated electronic notification and remote access requirement takes effect.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment

Secretary of HHS to issue guidance on best practices for compliance.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment

Secretary of HHS to issue guidance on best practices for explaining changes to donors and families.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment

Secretary of HHS to submit initial report on exemptions granted (and annually thereafter).

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment

Comptroller General to submit report on implementation study to Congress.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Organ Procurement Agency (OPA): Organizations responsible for coordinating the recovery of organs from donors for transplantation.
Electronic Health Records (EHR): Digital versions of a patient's paper chart, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, and other health information.
Medicare: A federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Medicaid: A joint federal and state program that helps cover healthcare costs for people with limited income and resources.
Critical Access Hospital: A small, rural hospital that provides limited inpatient and outpatient services to people in rural areas, and typically receives specific reimbursement from Medicare.
Social Security Act: The foundational federal law that established the Social Security program, Medicare, and Medicaid, among other social welfare provisions.
Cybersecurity attack: Malicious activity that attempts to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or data.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JUL 16, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JUL 16, 25

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

INTROREFERRAL

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Jul 16, 2025

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Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

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ACTION TIMELINE

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