Every day, 33 people — disproportionately people of color — die in the U.S. as they wait for organ transplants. Most of these deaths, and the suffering that precedes it, are preventable. Given that Covid-19 causes organ failure, the problem is only going to get worse.
The majority of people currently waiting for organ transplants need kidneys. As people languish on transplant waiting lists, Medicare now spends $36 billion each year on dialysis, which acts like an external kidney. Not only would more kidney transplants save lives, each transplant would save taxpayers as much as $1.45 million per person through avoided dialysis.
Excellent article, excellent initiative, excellent goals. Recipients love this – for their lives. Democrats love this – for access and equality. And Republicans love this – for the savings. Win – win – win !
I have studied organ donation and transplants for 10 years now ; the real problem is not necessarily selectivity it is the actual number of transplant viable organs available ; all based upon US citizens who must sign on by each citizen where in Europe most must opt out of being signed up ; also they all have a very short life out of a donor and can be damaged easily in transport although done by accident