Today, Rep. John R. Carter (R-TX-31) introduced the Veterans Transplant Coverage Act which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide organ transplants to Veterans from a live donor regardless of whether or not that donor is a veteran. Current VA policy excludes non-Veteran live donations from coverage under the VA Choice Program and forces Veterans to specific VA treatment facilities.  For most Veterans these facilities are many states away. Rep. Carter’s legislation directs the VA to provide the transplant operation for those veterans, in a VA facility or non-VA facility, regardless of the donor’s status.

“No Veteran should be denied a life-saving procedure due to bureaucratic red tape under the VA Choice Program,” said Rep. Carter. “With my bill, a veteran can go to their local hospital and receive a live donor transplant regardless of whether the donor is a veteran or whether that facility is part of the VA. This eliminates uncertainty, especially as it pertains to organ donation, and ensures our veterans get the care they’ve earned!”

This issue gained national attention when Charles Nelson from Leander, Tex., a 100 percent service-connected veteran, needed a kidney transplant and his 28-year-old son Austin was a match. Initially, Mr. Nelson was told the surgery would be covered under the VA Choice Program and would be able to be performed at the University Hospital in San Antonio; however, because his son is not a veteran, the VA Central office denied covering the costs. The Nelsons were forced to use Medicare and private donations to cover the surgery’s costs. This bill will correct that failure of policy.

“I’m proud to fight on behalf of warriors like Charles Nelson!  The role of the VA is to care for and serve our Veterans, not make things more difficult,” Rep. Carter said.  “The VA Choice Program almost entirely excludes family members from providing life-saving organ donations for their loved ones, forcing Veterans to solely depend on non-living donations. This is not common sense, and our Veterans deserve better.”

Today, there are more than 35,000 veterans who could potentially need a new kidney in their lifetime, with 8,000 of those Veterans in Texas alone. Currently, Veterans in need of kidney, liver, and other solid organ transplants are disqualified from the VA Choice Program if the available live donor is not a Veteran. This bill ensures the Veteran and the donor receive the most expedited care available. 

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

###