Advocacy

One of AOPO’s primary responsibilities is to advocate on behalf of its members to pass and protect legislation that advances the life-saving mission of donation. OPOs are non-profit agencies that must meet federal performance standards and work within a heavily regulated system under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). All OPOs are subject to strict and complex rules regarding the allocation of organs. This legislative and regulatory platform allows OPOs to conduct their work efficiently, safely and transparently. AOPO is the link between these agencies and its members, ensuring an understanding of the system and the ability to operate effectively.

OPOs are also subject to state regulation. Forty-five jurisdictions have passed the revised version of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act modeled by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL). Information about the UAGA and its enactment status can be found here.

For more information about AOPO’s advocacy activities, contact Liz Hackett.

 This video shows Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Caucus honoring constituent donor Steven Cordova at a press conference on December 20th, 2010. 

AOPO honored Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) for his commitment to organ and tissue donation at their 2011 Legislative Fly-In. Senator Dorgan served as a Congressman and Senator for North Dakota for 30 years before retiring in 2011. Susan Gunderson, Executive Director of LifeSource and Co-Chair of the AOPO Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee, is pictured below with Senator Dorgan. LifeSource serves all of North Dakota.