Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., has introduced legislation that would give legal U.S. residents preferred status over illegal immigrants when it comes to receiving donated organs.
Posey’s bill, which was filed on Friday, would amend the Public Health Service Act to “give preference to individuals who are lawfully present in the United States over individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States.”
An aide to Posey said that means illegal residents could still apply to receive donated organs, but “will not receive organs until all legal residents have been satisfied.”
The aide said Posey introduced the bill after a constituent raised the issue after an experience involving transplanted organs.
“Rep. Posey believes it’s a question of fairness to Americans and legal residents who have been on the list waiting for an organ transplant,” the aide said.
Recent press reports indicate the issue of whether to allow non-legal residents access to donated organs is coming up more frequently in the U.S.
A report from ProPublica last year said some U.S. hospitals are allowing non-residents to jump the line and receive donated organs.
And last February, a hospital in Oregon said it would not give a women a liver transplant because she is an illegal immigrant.
