[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF ORGANS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPLANTATION JULY 1, 
                                  1999

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 1999

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce the 
``Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Amendments of 1999.'' 
This important bill reauthorizes the National Organ Transplantation Act 
and promotes efforts to increase the supply of organs available for 
transplantation. I have been joined by two of my Commerce Committee 
colleagues, Rep. Gene Green and Rep. Frank Pallone, in sponsoring this 
bipartisan measure.
  Our legislation addresses a serious national health concern. Quite 
simply, we do not have enough organs to satisfy the demand for those in 
need of a transplant.
  By even the most optimistic estimates, anticipated increases in organ 
supply are not projected to meet demand. This year, 20,000 people will 
receive organ transplants--but 40,000 will not. In the last decade 
alone, the waiting list for transplants grew by over 300 percent. This 
is literally a matter of life and death for tens of thousands of 
Americans each year.
  To address this problem, our bill directs the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services to carry out a program to educate the public with 
respect to organ donation, in particular, the need for additional 
organs for transplantation. In addition, it authorizes grants to cover 
the costs of travel and subsistence expenses for individuals who make 
living donations of their organs.
  The bill specifically recognizes the generous contribution made by 
each living individual who has donated an organ to save a life. It also 
acknowledges the advances in medical technology that have enabled 
transplantation of organs donated by living individuals to become a 
viable treatment option for an increasing number of patients.
  The bill also reauthorizes the National Open Transplant Act, which 
was enacted to provide for the establishment and operation of an Organ 
Procurement and Transplantation Network. It clarifies that the Network 
is responsible for developing, establishing and maintaining medical 
criteria and standards for organ procurement and transplantation. This 
will ensure that organs are distributed based on sound scientific 
principles--without regard to the economic status or political 
influence of a recipient.
  Given the enormity of the issues involved, Members of Congress must 
work together to address these concerns on a bipartisan basis. To that 
end, I urge all of my colleagues to support our effort to increase 
organ donation by cosponsoring the ``Organ Procurement and 
Transplantation Network Amendments of 1999.''

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