The Living Donor Protection Act (LDPA) has achieved a significant milestone by being scheduled for markup in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. This advancement marks the furthest progress the bill has made since its introduction, representing years of advocacy from living donors, transplant recipients, and patient advocates.
The LDPA aims to tackle the national organ shortage crisis by removing barriers that deter organ donation. If enacted, the legislation would prohibit life, disability, and long-term care insurers from discriminating against individuals solely based on their donation status. It would also clarify that recovery time for living donors is covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), ensuring that donors can recuperate without fearing job loss.
More than 90,000 Americans are currently awaiting a kidney transplant. Living donation is recognized as the gold standard for many patients, offering better outcomes and longer graft survival. Yet, many potential donors hesitate due to concerns regarding insurance protections and job security.
Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and a kidney transplant recipient, emphasized the importance of this legislative step: “For years, living donors and transplant recipients have shared their stories and urged Congress to act. Scheduling the Living Donor Protection Act for markup in the Senate HELP Committee is a powerful acknowledgment of that advocacy. Living donors step forward to save lives. They should never face discrimination or financial uncertainty because of that generosity.”
The LDPA has garnered broad bipartisan support across multiple sessions of Congress, with sustained efforts from the NKF and its partners in the kidney and transplant community. The markup scheduled for February 26, 2026, will allow members to formally consider, amend, and vote on advancing the bill to the full Senate.
In addition to the Senate bill, companion legislation comprising two parts—H.R. 4582 and H.R. 4583—is currently under review in the U.S. House of Representatives. The NKF remains committed to collaborating with Congressional leaders and bipartisan supporters to facilitate the LDPA’s passage.
The LDPA is designed to protect living organ donors from discrimination in obtaining life, disability, and long-term care insurance. For nearly a decade, the NKF has advocated for similar protections across more than 30 states, demonstrating a growing recognition of the need for supportive measures for living donors.
Kidney disease affects over 35 million adults in the United States, with approximately 90 percent unaware of their condition. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. Certain demographic groups, including Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian or Alaska Native individuals, are at heightened risk for developing kidney disease.
The National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to fighting preventable kidney disease, enhancing patient experiences, and addressing inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For further information on how to support the Living Donor Protection Act, visit the NKF website at www.kidney.org.
