People who donate their organs can save the lives of friends and family, but it can be an expensive act of generosity: Living donors can also face high costs, like paying for travel, lodging, follow-up care, and missing work. These costs hurt donors and can also stop people from donating.

We need to change that.

For people living with serious chronic diseases, like kidney disease, getting an organ transplant can save their life. Right now, more than 93,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant. Many have to wait years, and 17 people die every day because they don’t get a transplant in time.

The Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act (H.R. 6171), introduced by Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Joe Wilson (R-SC), would help by giving living organ donors a one-time $5,000 tax credit to help cover these costs. This money would make it easier for people to donate organs and more people to have long and healthier lives.It could also save money by reducing the need for expensive treatments like dialysis.

This is a critically needed bill and is sponsored and supported by both political parties. The Chronic Disease Coalition supports this bill and encourages you to join us in asking Congress to pass the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act. Let’s make it easier for people to donate organs and save lives.