Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette: About one-third of Americans are registered to be organ donors after death, federal health agencies say — but there’s always a shortage of available organs.
The Department of Health and Human Services says more than 100,000 sick Americans are on waiting lists, each desperately hoping that an organ will become available for them.
We hope more compassionate people will register. But if they don’t, here’s a wise plan: Pass opt-out laws.
Around 90 percent of Americans say they support organ donation — but most never get around to volunteering. Currently, most states have opt-in laws requiring each would-be donor to sign up. However, opt-out laws make everyone a potential organ source, except a few who specifically ask to be exempted.