DeGette's Organ Transplant Bill Becomes Law

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Energyand Commerce Committee, today applauded the White House for signing theStephanie Tubbs Jones Organ Transplant Authorization Act of 2008 intolaw. President George W. Bush signed H.R. 6469, which increasesauthorization for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network(OPTN) to $7 million, the first increase to the OPTN since 1984. Thebipartisan legislation was sponsored by U.S Senator Byron Dorgan(D-ND), and U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jim Costa (D-CA) and DaveCamp (R-MI).

"I am proud to have championed this invaluable and life-saving piece oflegislation that gives hope to thousands of patients," DeGette said."Not only am I happy this measure will provide a modest increase infunding for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, but I amthrilled that we could honor the late Congresswoman Stephanie TubbsJones by naming it after her. The generous donation of her organs andtissues upon her untimely passing will be remembered."

The National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) of 1984 authorized thecreation and operation of the Organ Procurement and TransplantationNetwork (OPTN), which facilitates the matching of deceased donor organswith individuals waiting for an organ transplant. Currently, NOTAlimits federal support for the OPTN to no more than $2 millionannually. This is approximately 8 percent of the current cost ofoperation of the OPTN. The remaining 92 percent of operating costs arepaid with revenues generated by feeds the OPTN assesses transplantprograms to register patients on the national donor waiting list.

The authorization for funding has not been increased since theenactment of NOTA in 1984, when the total operating costs for the OPTNwere approximately $5 million. Right now, the projected cost ofoperating the OPTN in FY 2008 is approximately $27 million. Thelegislation is named after the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Joneswho donated her organs and tissues upon her death on August 20, 2008.