Two Bucks County legislators are advocating the creation of a new state tax credit designed to offset costs incurred by living organ donors.
Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-10) introduced Senate Bill SB 1448 today which is legislation that would offer a Personal Income Tax deduction of up to $10,000 for living donors to defray costs for travel, lodging medical and lost wages resulting from organ donation.
A state law enacted in 2006 reimburses businesses that allow a paid leave of absence for their employees for the specific purpose of organ and bone marrow donation, but current law does not provide for expenses incurred by donors.
“The donation process not only requires donors to make a difficult and painful decision in terms of the actual procedure, but also undergo significant financial planning to account for the costs of medical care,” McIlhinney said. “The choice to donate an organ is a brave, noble and selfless decision, and lawmakers should do our part to support this practice.”
The legislation mirrors a proposal introduced by Representative John Galloway (D-140) earlier this year following a family medical emergency which brought the need for the tax deduction to his attention.
“My family experiences revealed to me that a business can earn tax deductions for allowing an employee the time to make the donation, but the person who shares their organ gets no opportunity to recoup their expenses for their generosity,” Galloway said. “Fixing this oversight may well encourage more living donations.”
According to the Department of Health and Human Services there were 337 living organ donations made in Pennsylvania last year.
Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-10) introduced Senate Bill SB 1448 today which is legislation that would offer a Personal Income Tax deduction of up to $10,000 for living donors to defray costs for travel, lodging medical and lost wages resulting from organ donation.
A state law enacted in 2006 reimburses businesses that allow a paid leave of absence for their employees for the specific purpose of organ and bone marrow donation, but current law does not provide for expenses incurred by donors.
“The donation process not only requires donors to make a difficult and painful decision in terms of the actual procedure, but also undergo significant financial planning to account for the costs of medical care,” McIlhinney said. “The choice to donate an organ is a brave, noble and selfless decision, and lawmakers should do our part to support this practice.”
The legislation mirrors a proposal introduced by Representative John Galloway (D-140) earlier this year following a family medical emergency which brought the need for the tax deduction to his attention.
“My family experiences revealed to me that a business can earn tax deductions for allowing an employee the time to make the donation, but the person who shares their organ gets no opportunity to recoup their expenses for their generosity,” Galloway said. “Fixing this oversight may well encourage more living donations.”
According to the Department of Health and Human Services there were 337 living organ donations made in Pennsylvania last year.