(1)The general assembly finds and
declares that:
(a)The extraordinary gift of living organ donation has a transformative
impact on a recipient's life, often providing a reprieve from exhaustive medical
treatments and significantly improving the quality and length of life of the
recipient;
(b)Despite the commendable rise in living organ donations, a critical
shortage remains, with countless individuals on transplant waiting lists. This
situation can be ameliorated by facilitating the donation process and providing
robust support to donors.
(c)Living organ donors willingly accept the personal and medical burdens
associated with the organ donation process, including undergoing comprehensive
and invasive medical evaluations, facing the inherent risks of surgeries, and
enduring
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(1) The general assembly finds and
declares that:
(a) The extraordinary gift of living organ donation has a transformative
impact on a recipient's life, often providing a reprieve from exhaustive medical
treatments and significantly improving the quality and length of life of the
recipient;
(b) Despite the commendable rise in living organ donations, a critical
shortage remains, with countless individuals on transplant waiting lists. This
situation can be ameliorated by facilitating the donation process and providing
robust support to donors.
(c) Living organ donors willingly accept the personal and medical burdens
associated with the organ donation process, including undergoing comprehensive
and invasive medical evaluations, facing the inherent risks of surgeries, and
enduring the physical and emotional challenges of postoperative recovery;
(d) Living organ donors may be required to make substantial financial
sacrifices, including suffering a loss of income during recovery; incurring expenses
for travel, accommodations, and child care or elder care during hospitalization or
recovery; and facing the potential for long-term financial implications related to
medical care;
(e) Notwithstanding the willingness of donors to contribute to the public
good, the potential for employment discrimination and retaliation post-donation,
including job insecurity, demotions, or unwarranted disciplinary actions, can be a
significant deterrent to prospective living organ donors;
(f) There are significant societal benefits to facilitating living organ donation,
which not only saves lives but also reduces the overall health-care costs associated
with long-term treatments for end-stage organ disease, such as dialysis for kidney
failure, that are often more costly and less effective than transplantation;
(g) It is within the power and responsibility of the general assembly to enact
measures that alleviate the burdens borne by living organ donors and to ensure that
they are not penalized or placed at a disadvantage for their altruistic acts;
(h) By supporting living organ donors, Colorado not only invests in the health
and well-being of its citizens but also fosters a culture of generosity and civic
responsibility, promoting the welfare of the community at large; and
(i) Colorado's commitment to providing comprehensive support, including
employment protections and the removal of financial barriers, in addition to other
efforts that recognize a living organ donor's personal and financial sacrifice,
empowers more Coloradans to consider the noble act of living organ donation.
(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that the enactment of
the CARE for Living Organ Donors Act will address the critical needs of living
organ donors, provide necessary protections for living organ donors, remove
barriers to living organ donation, and honor those individuals who undertake this
generous act of living organ donation that ultimately benefits society by increasing
the availability of organs for transplantation and affirming Colorado's commitment
to the health and dignity of its residents.