fbpx

HOPE Act clears first Senate hurdle

Outline of Michigan, Gift of Life logo, HOPE ACT

The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act is one step closer to becoming law in Michigan, after the bill was unanimously referred out of the Senate Health Committee on Thursday. The legislation will now head to the full Senate for a vote. It will allow organs from potential donors with HIV to be transplanted into HIV-positive patients.

“I am encouraged that this bill was received so well by the Senate Health Committee,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s federally designated organ procurement program.

“Every time someone in our state receives a life-saving transplant, that means one less person is waiting and there is more hope for those still in need. I urge the Senate to approve this measure as soon as possible.”

The HOPE Act was enacted nationally in 2015, but efforts to enact it here in Michigan have been unsuccessful. State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township), who serves on the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced it in the House of Representatives in March and it was approved by the House in July.

“We are so fortunate to live in a state that is home to talented medical researchers and transplant teams who work every day to improve the science of saving lives through organ donation,” she said at the time. “This bill simply brings the state in line with federal law and frees up additional organs for Michiganders.”

Since 2015, 21 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the legislation. Transplants between HIV-positive donors and HIV-positive patients now take place at 36 hospitals and transplant centers across the country.

Watch a livestream conversation with Rep. Felicia Brabec and an HIV-positive transplant recipient.

Man and woman in livestream video

 

 

 

Read More Posts
May was a record month in Michigan with 63 organ donors providing 167 organs transplanted and 177 tissue donors.

Gift of Life Michigan breaks yet another state record for donors

Organ and tissue donors help hundreds in May   Gift of Life Michigan helped a record…

Read More
organ donation in ann arbor michigan

Bill to add donor registration option to tax forms passes Michigan House

Key legislation that would allow state income tax filers to add their names to the…

Read More
Female doctor holding open chart looking at the camera

Donor Registry Awareness Bill introduced in Michigan

NEW SENATE BILL WOULD INCREASE AWARENESS, PROVIDE EDUCATION ON ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION   Updated…

Read More
Gift of Life logo above the main entrance of the office.

Gift of Life sets organ and tissue records in 2022

Donation success in Michigan mirrors the national trend in saving and healing lives  Gift of…

Read More
State Representative Felicia Brabec, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, kidney patient Armond Baskin and his wife, Molly, stand in front of a Gift of Life Michigan / Check Your Heart banner after a press conference kicking off National Donate Life Month 2023.

Bill would add organ donor registry question to state income tax forms

If passed, Michigan would be the first in the nation to do so Key legislation…

Read More
Sara Schmidt, who became an organ donor, hugs her mother, Donna Ternes

Michigan woman pens book about daughter, organ donation

“But God” chronicles difficult life that led to a decision to save others Sara Schmidt’s…

Read More
Scroll to Top