ACP: Governmental Affairs and Public Policy - ACP Supports H.R. 2474, the "Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act of 2005"

Advocacy

ACP Supports H.R. 2474, the "Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act of 2005"

April 27, 2006

The Honorable Joe Wilson
U.S. House of Representatives
212 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

RE: Support for H.R. 2474, the “Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act of 2005”

Dear Congressman Wilson:

The American College of Physicians, representing over 119,000 doctors of internal medicine and medical students, is writing in strong support of H.R. 2474, the “Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act of 2005.” Organ donation is a critical issue facing this country and we want to thank you for your leadership in this area.

As you know, H.R. 2474 would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of up to $5,000 of actual unreimbursed costs and lost wages incurred by an organ donor in connection with an organ transplant. ACP’s ethics policy recognizes the potential that direct financial incentives can have on families of limited financial means. According to the College’s Ethics Manual, Fifth Edition, however, indirect compensation for the expenses of organ donation is less likely to raise such concerns. We believe that H.R. 2474 appropriately recognizes this distinction by only providing the tax credit for actual unreimbursed expenses and lost wages directly related to the transplant process.

Again, the College wishes to congratulate you for recognizing the importance of organ donation and encouraging individuals to become organ donors. We believe H.R. 2474 strikes the right balance by providing tax incentives as a way to encourage and promote organ donation and we strongly support its passage.

Sincerely,

Lynne M. Kirk, MD, FACP
President