Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

 

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).  Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L    I M P A C T    R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR

Heaton

DATE TYPED

2/2/04

HB

0208

 

SHORT TITLE

Certain Organ Donation Info to Families

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST

Dunbar

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

NFI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

HB 208 amends NMSA 1978, 24-6A-9.1, New Mexico Uniform Anatomical Gift Act relating to organ donation. The bill adds language that requires respectful posting of information related to organ donation in hospitals. 

 

Significant Issues

 

HB 208 requires that hospitals implement written protocols to ensure that families of potential donors are provided with: 1)  respectful and sensitive posted notices that inform families of the options to donate organs, tissues or eyes or to decline to do so; 2) written information regarding options.

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

The following information was provided by HPC:

 

¨     According to New Mexico Donor Services, a single donor can benefit up to 100 other persons.

¨     Nationally, nine people die every day waiting for organs to be donated.

¨     Approximately 58,000 people are waiting for organ donations in the US.

¨     Some families may not be aware of New Mexico organ donor programs and the need for organs, tissues or eyes.

¨     Families may be misinformed about organ donor programs and during the stressful time following the death of a family member, organ donation may be one of the last things being considered.

¨     Families of some potential organ donors such as accident victims may be willing to donate organs but they are never asked or informed about the opportunity. Access to information at the hospital may motivate the organ donation process.

¨     The number of organ donations may increase by both, educating families at the hospital and by making the process to donate organs easier. 

 

Neighboring states (California, Arizona, Texas and Colorado) have, according to HPC, organ donor websites that allow the downloading of forms for organ donation. According to the website, shareyourlife.org, New Mexico does not have this service. 

 

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