Today, the House passed Congressman John Carter’s (TX-31) Veterans Transplant Coverage Act of 2017. Under current law, the Department of Veterans Affairs can deny life-saving transplant coverage to a veteran if the organ donor is a non-veteran. Congressman Carter’s bipartisan legislation changes the VA’s policy to ensure that no other American hero is denied transplant coverage again.

“This legislation is about the 84,000 veterans in my congressional district, and the 22 million nationwide. It is for every veteran that has had to fight their way through the VA’s bureaucracy to receive the care they need and deserve. It’s for every veteran that has fought hard, but lost the battle against the VA, like my constituent, Charles Nelson, from Leander, Texas,” Representative Carter said. 

“When Charles needed a kidney transplant, his son was a willing donor and a match. When it came time for the operation, the VA denied him coverage and the Nelson family was left to fundraise to complete the life-saving surgery. For far too long, the VA has put bureaucracy over the very people they should be helping. My legislation makes sure that no other veteran experiences what Charles Nelson experienced.

“This legislation is especially poignant as we approach Veterans Day and remember the sacrifices of all of the men and women that have valiantly served our nation. While they can never be repaid for their service, we can make sure that they receive the very best care when they need it most. Today’s passage marks a step forward in bettering the lives of our veterans, and I’d like to thank my colleagues for supporting this legislation.”

The Veterans Transplant Coverage Act:

·       Changes current law to allow veterans to receive organ transplants from a non-veteran with their VA coverage.

·       Allows veterans to receive transplant operations at any VA or non-VA facility convenient for them.

This common sense legislation is supported by the American Legion, AMVETS, Got Your 6, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, as well as the American Association of Kidney Patients, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Society of Transplantation, and National Kidney Foundation.

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.