Public Policy Library Document

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TO: AST

FROM: AST Public Policy Staff

RE: Please Write or Call Congress in Support of S. 2366, Organ Procurement and Transplant Network Act of 2000

DATE: May 2000

During the last few months, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) has worked very closely with Senators Bill Frist (TN), Ted Kennedy (MA), and other members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to develop federal legislation to reauthorize the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA). This initiative has included many visits to Capitol Hill and the Administration by the Society's Public Policy Committee.

Last month, Senators Frist and Kennedy introduced the legislation, S. 2366, the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network Act of 2000. The bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee by a vote of 18-0. The next step for S. 2366 will be a final vote on the Senate floor.

Utilizing advocacy tools such as the AST white paper, "The Decade of Transplantation", the Public Policy Committee worked with Senators Frist and Kennedy to develop specific areas of S. 2366, including provisions such as:
* Coordinating federal agency activities in the area of organ donation;
* Strengthening attention and focus on organ donation;
* Increasing professional education, including medical school curricula and the continued involvement of the Institutes of Medicine; and
* Reiterating the primacy of the transplant community in crafting policies pertaining to medical decision-making.

Attached for your review is a: 1) Joint-letter from Senators Frist and Kennedy thanking the AST for its contributions and leadership role in the development and support of S. 2366; and an 2) AST letter of support for S. 2366 to Senators Frist and Kennedy.

In preparation for a final Senate vote on S. 2366, we encourage you to write or call your Senators and ask that they strongly support this important legislation.

How Do I Call My Two Members of the U.S. Senate?
To call your U.S. Senate delegation, simply dial (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with the office of your elected official(s). Upon reaching the office of your choice, ask for the Legislative Assistant for health care issues and request that their boss support S. 2366.

How Do I Write My Two Members of the U.S. Senate?
To write your U.S. Senate delegation, simply draft a brief letter asking that they support S. 2366, the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network Act of 2000, and mail it to: (Note: Make sure that you include your address on the letter).

The Honorable Your Senator's Name
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510