Janet Buckner’s Bipartisan Organ Donor Bill Passes Committee

DENVER, Colorado, March 27 -- The Colorado House Democrats issued the following news:

Speaker Pro-Tem Janet Buckner's bipartisan bill passed out of the House Health and Insurance committee today. The bill prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums for living donors based on their status as a living donor.

"We shouldn't be punishing people who are trying to save lives," said Rep. Buckner, D-Aurora. "This bill will address this problem and ensure that people who are trying to help others aren't charged more or worse, denied insurance all together."

HB19-1253 prohibits a person who offers life insurance, disability income insurance, or long-term care insurance from discriminating against a person based solely on the person's status as a living organ donor. In addition, in 2020, the state department shall develop materials to educate the public on the benefits of being a living organ donor and their access to insurance.

In 2018, 263 Coloradans died or became too sick to remain on the transplant waitlist while there were 168 living organ donors in Colorado. Currently, 1872 Coloradans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.

HB19-1253 passed the committee with unanimous, bipartisan support and now goes to the House Appropriations committee.