Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is pushing to pass his legislation in the State Assembly that would provide no-cost health insurance to New Yorkers who become kidney donors. Assemblyman Santabarbara is working with Senator James Skoufis in the Senate in the hopes of getting this bill passed this legislative session and on the Governor’s desk.

The intent of the legislation is to increase kidney donations to save lives. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services show that an average of 13 Americans die each day waiting for a kidney transplant. Unlike many organ donations which can only be made after a person dies, individuals can choose to donate a kidney during their lifetime. In New York State, there are more than 8,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant right now, Santabarbara noted. Under the legislation the state will establish a designated Kidney Donor Insurance Fund that will cover the cost of health insurance premiums for people that make a kidney donation.

“Those who choose to make a kidney donation can save lives. Unfortunately, each year thousands of people die while waiting to receive a kidney donation,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “This bill acknowledges that kidney donors make a choice to undergo surgery and risk complications to their own health to save others. With the health insurance coverage provided in this bill we can encourage more people to become kidney donors and save lives,” Santabarbara added.