Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act

The Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act would require hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid to implement automated electronic notification procedures with organ procurement agencies (OPAs) and to provide those agencies with remote access to the hospitals’ electronic health records (EHRs) for potential organ donors, starting two years after enactment. The notification would occur when a potential donor’s death is imminent or when death is confirmed, following the hospital’s protocol (as described in current regulations). The bill also creates exemptions from the automated EHR access requirement (with conditions), requires HHS to issue guidance on best practices and on communicating these changes to donors and families, and directs a GAO study and a Congress-facing report on implementation, costs, security, and transplant outcomes. The aim is to streamline organ donor identification and notification to increase organ supply, while balancing privacy, cybersecurity, and practical considerations for hospitals.