California May Allow Transplants Among Those With HIV
SACRAMENTO (AP) — California lawmakers are moving to allow organ transplants between donors and recipients if they both have the HIV virus that causes AIDS.
Democratic Sen. Benjamin Allen of Santa Monica says his SB1408 would do away with an antiquated law and save lives in the process.
Current state law bars organ donations from those who have the HIV virus.
The bill follows a 2013 federal law that allowed scientists to study whether it is safe to transplant organs from one person with HIV to another. The advocacy group Donate Life California projected that could save 1,000 patients with HIV each year.
It could also shorten the waiting list for uninfected people waiting for transplants.
The bill passed the Senate on a 33-0 vote Monday. It now goes to the Assembly.
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