A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Lauren Shields Organ Donation Act. It requires certain federal application forms to include an option for individuals to elect to be organ donors. The affected forms include those for Social Security benefits, Medicare, veterans benefits, passports, and individual income tax returns. Additionally, the bill directs the development of an electronic data transfer system to instantly update donor status. It also establishes grants for states to modify their own forms and applications to include organ donor registration options.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +3
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill streamlines organ donor registration across various health and federal applications to improve the organ donation system.
- Scored +2
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?
The bill includes organ donor registration options on Medicare enrollment forms, supporting health programs.
- Scored +2
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?
The bill provides grants to states to modify Medicaid forms to include organ donor registration options.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Social Security Benefit Applications: Section 2 ensures that applications for Social Security benefits under Title II and Title XVI include an option to elect to be an organ donor. This makes it easier for individuals to register as donors while applying for benefits, and the election is transmitted to state and national registries.
-
Medicare Applications: Section 3 requires Medicare applications and enrollment forms under Parts A and B to include an organ donor election option. This gives individuals a convenient way to register as organ donors when managing their healthcare coverage.
-
Veterans Benefits: Section 4 requires forms for veterans benefits under section 5101 of title 38, United States Code, to include an organ donor option. This allows veterans to easily register their donor status through their benefit applications.
-
Passport Applications: Section 5 mandates that initial passport applications, renewals, and data correction forms include an option to elect to be an organ donor. This provides travelers with a straightforward way to register their donor status.
-
Income Tax Returns: Section 6 requires individual income tax return forms to include an option allowing individuals to elect to be an organ donor. This enables citizens to register as donors during the annual tax filing process.
-
Electronic Data Updates: Section 7 requires the development of a secure and automated electronic data transfer system to instantly update an individual's donor status in national systems and State registries. This ensures that a person's choice to be a donor is recorded quickly and accurately.
-
State Grants: Section 8 establishes grants for states to modify state forms and applications—such as Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, and voter registration—to serve as vehicles for organ donor registration. This expands the opportunities for individuals to register as organ donors through various state-level programs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions outlining negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill streamlines organ donor registration across various health and federal applications to improve the organ donation system. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill integrates organ donor registration options into veterans' benefits forms. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill provides grants to states to modify Medicaid forms to include organ donor registration options. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill includes organ donor registration options on Medicare enrollment forms, supporting health programs.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid are included in state grants for updating donor registration forms. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Medicare beneficiaries and older adults benefit from streamlined organ donation options on their benefit forms. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans are provided with easy organ donor registration options directly on their benefit application forms.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes an automated electronic data transfer system to instantly update and track organ donor statuses. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill provides grants for states to modify their own local forms and state-run program applications for organ donation.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill updates veterans benefit application forms to include organ donor registration options.
- 10/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey