Opt Out Policy for Organ Donation/Transplantation

In recent weeks, issues with organ donation/transplantation have been brought to our nation's attention through the media. Organ and Tissue donation involves major organs, along with tissues, bone, tendons, corneas, etc., and not only saves lives but helps to improve the lives of those in medical need. In the United States an average of 18 people die awaiting an organ transplant every day; that is over 6500 people every year. One donor has the potential to provide organs for up to 8 people and improve the lives of many more.  We believe the best way to address this issue is to increase the national donor pool by changing the way Americans register to become organ donors. 

Currently individuals are required to register as organ donors through the national donor registry (http://www.organdonor.gov/index.html) or “Opt-In". We propose that Florida, and ultimately the United States, institute an Opt-Out policy for registration of organ donors. An Opt-Out policy would allow individuals to register as an organ donor or to “opt out” of the registry by specifying that they choose not to be an organ donor. The Opt-Out policy would, however, assume that individuals who have not opted out of the registry give consent to donate their organs and tissue. The policy would allow families to provide documentation that the individual would not consent to becoming a donor in the event of death, but would not allow the family to veto organ procurement without documentation of the patient’s position opposing organ donation.

An Opt-Out policy for Florida, and ultimately the United States, would be the best option for long term success in reducing deaths for patients waiting for transplant. Firstly, an Opt-Out policy would increase the percentage of donors in the state and effectively increasing the availability of organs for the 11 active transplant centers in the state. Secondly, this type of policy would not violate any major religious beliefs, as all major religions approve of organ donation and consider it to be the greatest gift one can offer. Also, being an organ donor does not affect the care you receive in an emergency situation because organ donation is not an option except in the cases of brain or cardiac death. Physicians perform their jobs to the best of their ability and provide the best possible care in an attempt to save their patient; it is only after complete brain or cardiac death that the topic of organ donation is approached. Lastly, this type of policy would leave the decision of eligibility of an individual to become a donor to qualified medical professionals who are best suited to make the decision.

Please sign this petition in support of the institution of an “Opt-Out” Policy in the State of Florida. Please help address the real issue facing organ donation and transplantation. Help makes steps toward increasing the number of donors in our state and the country. Help increase the number of heroes because that is what each and every organ donor is to the person they save, a hero. Be a hero, be an organ donor, be a supporter and help us make a change!