President signs HIV Organ Policy Equity — HOPE — Act into law

President Barack Obama on Nov. 21 signed the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act into law.

The measure had the support of a large coalition of HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as medical organizations. The act passed the House earlier this month and the Senate in June.

The president, in a statement issued after he signed the bill, said, “Earlier today, I signed into law the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that allows scientists to carry out research into organ donations from one person with HIV to another.  For decades, these organ transplants have been illegal. It was even illegal to study whether they could be safe and effective.  But as our understanding of HIV and effective treatments have grown, that policy has become outdated. The potential for successful organ transplants between people living with HIV has become more of a possibility.  The HOPE Act lifts the research ban, and, in time, it could lead to live-saving organ donations for people living with HIV while ensuring the safety of the organ transplant process and strengthening the national supply of organs for all who need them.”

The president also said, “Improving care for people living with HIV is critical to fighting the epidemic, and it’s a key goal of my National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The HOPE Act marks an important step in the right direction, and I thank Congress for their action.”