WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today passed S. 330, the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act (HOPE ACT), by voice vote. The measure advanced through the Energy and Commerce Committee in July, as H.R. 698. The HOPE Act would eliminate the restriction on acquiring HIV-positive organs in order to permit research on transplants involving HIV-positive individuals. The legislation is supported by leading medical organizations including the American Medical Association, American Society of Transplantation, United Network of Organ Sharing, American Society of Nephrology, Dialysis Patient Citizens, and the HIV Medicine Association.
“By passing the HOPE Act now, we will send it directly to the president so that he can sign it into law and avoid a Conference. This commonsense proposal has the potential to save lives. With 100,000 patients waiting for life-saving organs, permitting HIV positive donors to be used for transplants could save as many as 1,000 HIV infected patients every year," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “Today, we provide some hope to those in need of a new organ."
