News

Feb 13, 2026, 13:13 PM by ASTS

 

Approved by the ASTS Executive Committee

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Honoring Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act was included in the legislative package that was designed to reopen the federal government. The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) commends the dedicated efforts of all who contributed to advancing this crucial legislation and is honored to serve as a subcontractor for the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program (LODRP). "This legislation is a significant step forward in removing financial barriers for those who are considering the selfless, life-saving act of becoming a living organ donor," said ASTS President James Markmann, MD, PhD.

Specifically, the legislation will:

• Exclude consideration of the transplant recipient’s income in determining eligibility for reimbursement of travel, lost wages, and dependent care expenses to living donors through the LODRP
• Remove any expectation of reimbursement by recipients to living donors
• Require an annual report on the adequacy of program funding to Congress beginning in fiscal year 2027

ASTS applauds Congress for taking these steps and also encourages them to further protect living donors by passing the Living Donor Protection Act. By continuing to remove disincentives to living organ donation, collectively, we all can help more people receive the generous gift of life.