Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the Organ Donation Improvement Act of 2001, H.R. 624, which was reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee last week. As reported, H.R. 624 authorizes up to $5 million each year--for each of the next five years--to provide travel and subsistance funds for organ donors meeting certain criteria. I support the bill because I have been assured by the distinguished chairman of the Health Subcommittee, my friend Mike Bilirakis that the bill is intended to help increase the supply of life-saving organs that are available nationwide, and that it is not an attempt to circumvent, abrogate, amend or revise the organ donation and allocation system which was implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services last year. Under the provisions of the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has the responsibility for establishing and administering a national organ allocation program.”