Staten Island Reporter

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) and Congressman Josh Harder (CA-09) have reintroduced the End Kidney Deaths Act. This bipartisan legislation proposes a refundable tax credit for living kidney donors who provide kidneys to strangers, prioritizing those who have been waiting the longest on the kidney waitlist.

The proposed act offers donors a $10,000 refundable tax credit per year over five years, totaling $50,000. It is anticipated that this will help save up to 100,000 Americans currently on the waitlist, while potentially saving taxpayers between $10 and $37 billion.

Congresswoman Malliotakis emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, "I am proud to reintroduce this legislation with my colleague as there are hundreds of thousands of Americans waiting for life-saving organ transplants. Our legislation will save thousands of lives by offering an incentive for eligible donors to donate a healthy kidney to a fellow American in need and reduce the lengthy and costly wait times for thousands of Americans on the kidney transplant list who are undergoing treatment."

Congressman Harder added, "Every year, thousands of families lose a loved one waiting for a kidney transplant. It’s devastating because it’s entirely preventable. This bill is simple: it encourages people to donate a kidney to save a life, and in return, the government gives them a tax break. A clear win-win for the donor and public health."

From 2010 to 2021, around 100,000 Americans who were eligible became too sick or passed away while waiting for a kidney transplant, with more than half of those on the waitlist dying before receiving a transplant over the last 15 years. Currently, approximately 800,000 Americans suffer from kidney failure, a number expected to surpass one million by 2030. In the last quarter century, the number of living kidney donors has remained steady at about 6,000 per year.

Previously, Congresswoman Malliotakis co-sponsored H.R.6860 - Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, seeking to ensure equitable access to private healthcare for individuals with End Stage Renal Disease and to protect the Medicare Trust Fund.