H.R. 7868: Expanding Support for Living Donors Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act of 2026, aims to amend existing laws regarding the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program under the Public Health Service Act. Here's a summary of its key provisions:

Eligibility for Reimbursement

One significant change is that the bill stipulates that individuals who donate organs should not have their eligibility for reimbursement limited based on their income, as long as their household income is at or below 700% of the poverty line. This aims to ensure that more individuals can qualify for financial support regardless of their financial situation.

Reimbursement Amounts

Under the proposed amendments:

• The amount reimbursed for qualifying expenses would be capped at the lesser of either the total expenses incurred by the organ donor or a specified maximum amount. For fiscal year 2027, this maximum is set at $10,000. For subsequent years, this amount would adjust based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
• There are provisions for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to lower the maximum permissible reimbursement amount if there are insufficient funds available. However, this reduction would not affect individuals who have already been approved for reimbursement prior to this change.

Funding Appropriations

The bill changes the funding authorization from a fixed amount for previous years to allow for "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2028 through 2037. This adjustment is intended to ensure that funding is more flexible and can be aligned with actual needs over time.

Annual Reporting Requirements

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services provide an annual report to Congress starting in fiscal year 2027. This report will cover various aspects of the program, including:

• The adequacy of funding for reimbursing all program participants
• The challenges and future needs of the program
• Demographic information about donors and reimbursement requests
• The types of expenses claimed for reimbursement
• The total expenditure of funds, including administrative costs

GAO Study

Within one year after the bill becomes law, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is required to conduct a study on how the Medicare program could contribute by covering costs currently funded through the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program. The GAO will then submit a report with its findings and any recommendations for needed changes.

Goals of the Bill

The overall purpose of the bill is to enhance support for living organ donors, making it easier for individuals to donate without facing significant financial burdens, thereby promoting organ donation in the United States.

Relevant Companies

None found.