Put Patients First Blog

Proposed legislation put forth in numerous states, most recently New York, would require that people be automatically added to the state donor registry unless they have previously declared to opt-out of this program. The ability to opt-in or out is given when acquiring identity cards or drivers licenses.

Advocates of this system believe that automatically assuming a person's consent or "presumed consent" will increase registries for organ and tissue donation and therefore help people in need of organs. 

According to Donate Life America, only 37% of adults in the U.S. (18 and older) are currently designated donors. Numerous European countries, including France, Austria and Spain, have an automatic opt-in system already in place and report an increase in organ availability. 

Read more about this topic by clicking here and tell us what you think about the idea.