Political Quotes

“I want to stand today in strong support of this important concurrent resolution to increase awareness of a very serious health problem, the growing gap between organ supply and demand. Last year, of the 60,000 people on organ transplant waiting lists, only 20,000 received needed transplants. As the number of patients waiting for organ transplants expands each year, clearly we must redouble our efforts to increase organ donations. In my State of Louisiana, organ and tissue donations are increasing, in large part thanks to a new and innovative computerized database that shares information on donated organs with members of the medical community and their patients. For instance, in 1999, 900 organs were donated in Louisiana, coming close to matching the nearly 1,200 Louisianans awaiting transplants. I think this represents real progress, and I am proud that my State is leading the way. However, I do remain very concerned that this administration's answer to the growing shortage across the country of organs is to attempt to federalize the organ allocation system and allow HHS bureaucrats to override medical decisions by local organ transplant groups.”