On Feb. 25 I testified before the legislature’s Insurance Committee in favor of HB-5255, “An ACT Concerning Living Organ Donation Insurance Discrimination.” This bill would protect living organ donors from discrimination when obtaining or modifying insurance. Donors go through an extensive battery of physical and mental evaluations to determine they are fit to donate.

Typically, 1,200 patients are on the waiting list for a kidney in Connecticut, only 25% will receive a transplant. Nearly 4% will pass away while waiting. Living donations close that gap. There is no evidence that donating a kidney adversely affects health or life expectancy. Actually, there’s evidence that organ donors are healthier than non-donors.

Half the states have or are considering protections for living donors. It’s time Connecticut passes its own Living Donor Protection Act. This bill already has widespread support from leaders within the General Assembly and organizations such as the National Kidney Foundation and Donor to Donor. But citizens need to reach out to their state representatives and senators to express their support for HB-5255. Your representatives can be located on https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp.

Armand Halter

Advocate and peer mentor for NKF and a transplant recipient

Ledyard