Governor Hochul Signs New York State Living Donor Support Act Into Law

By Hamodia Staff

NEW YORK − Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation enacting the New York State Living Donors Support Act, allowing individuals to be reimbursed for the costs of kidney and liver donations. It is the first state program in the nation to allow this reimbursement.

“There is no greater gift a New Yorker can give than the gift of saving a life,” Governor Hochul said. “Living organ donors are true heroes, and with this legislation, we are taking meaningful steps to support their sacrifice and save lives.”

The bill (S.1594/A.146A) amends the law and will establish a program to cover extra costs associated with organ donation for New York residents who donate to a fellow New Yorker. By doing so, it will help eliminate financial barriers to organ donation, thereby reducing wait times for organ transplants and alleviate the organ shortage in New York.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera, who sponsored the bill in the state Senate, thanked Governor Hochul for signing the bill, and said, “This important effort will help reverse New York’s low organ donor registration rates, where we rank almost last at the national level. I am confident this new law will help more New Yorkers give and receive the gift of life.”

Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, the sponsor in the state Assembly, said, “Living donors, such as people who donate one kidney, deserve our gratitude and support. We should protect them by making sure they are covered for medical expenses and lost income.”

Mendy Reiner of Renewal, an organization which helps facilitate kidney donations, told Hamodia, “I applaud Governor Hochul, Senator Rivera and Assembly Member Gottfried for this important bill. Our heroes who save lives deserve every advantage and this law will help those who want to help others – especially kidney donors.”

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of New York Government Relations at Agudath Israel of America, told Hamodia that this bill has been in the works for five years and they have supported it throughout. “We are gratified that the bill was finally signed into law by the governor,” Rabbi Silber said. “Donating a kidney is a tremendous chessed and an altruistic act, and we hope that alleviating the costs by reimbursing those that are not covered by insurance, it will increase the supply of these desperately needed lifesaving organ donations.”