Jeff Currey

Thursday, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted unanimously to approve legislation that will prohibit insurers from discriminating against living organ donors.

“After stepping up to help save someone’s life, organ donors should not be penalized by insurance companies for doing something so selfless. And people who are considering become organ donors should not be discouraged from doing so,” said State Representative Tammy Exum (D – West Hartford, Avon, Farmington). “I have spoken and worked with many organ donors since early last year on this legislation, and I am ecstatic that this bill has finally passed the House.”

"Last July, I shared my story about my need for a kidney, and fortunately, two months to the date, I received the call everyone in need of an organ waits for – I had a direct match. My story is unique because the average wait time is typically three to five years. This bill is critical in addressing the disparity by creating protections for people who step up to share their spare. No one should lose their life because they're sitting on a wait list, and this bill seeks to put an end to that here in Connecticut," said State Representative Jeff Currey (D – East Hartford, Manchester, South Windsor). "I am grateful to Rep. Exum and the National Kidney Foundation for their work to support this bill and ensure it passed the House."

The bill, H.B. 6387, An Act Concerning Insurance Discrimination Against Living Organ Donors, will prohibit insurers from declining or limiting insurance coverage based on a policyholder's status as a living organ donor. The bill also establishes that discrimination against living organ donors constitutes a violation of the Connecticut Unfair Insurance Practices Act, which bans unfair or deceptive insurance practices.

The bill also establishes a kidney disease advisory council, which will identify policy recommendations and implement changes to the state's organ donor program to increase awareness, early detection, transplantation and treatment, and more. This advisory council will help improve the quality of life for those with kidney disease and deliver health care savings.

In the United States, someone is added to the transplant waiting list every 10 minutes. But the need for organ donors is so high, and the number of donors cannot meet the need, nearly 20 people die awaiting an organ transplant every day. The bill could help encourage more residents to become organ donors, helping to close the gap between those in need of a transplant and donors.

Living organ donors are typically healthier than the general population, but about 25 percent of organ donors will experience insurance discrimination, such as higher premiums or denial of coverage altogether.

The bill now heads to the Senate.