Michigan House Bill HB4060

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23
• Refer: 2/1/23

Caption

Health: anatomical gifts; certain private practice offices and urgent care clinics to provide information on the donor registry and donating bone marrow; allow. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 10401.

Impact

The introduction of this bill represents a significant step in public health policy by potentially increasing the number of registered organ and tissue donors within the state. By targeting younger adults, the bill seeks to instill a culture of donation early on, which may help alleviate future shortages in transplantable organs. The required provision of informational materials can educate patients about their options and make the process of becoming a donor more accessible.

Summary

House Bill 4060 aims to enhance awareness and participation in organ and tissue donation and bone marrow donation in Michigan. Specifically, the bill amends the Public Health Code to require private practice offices and urgent care centers to inquire of each new patient who is at least 18 years old but less than 45 years old if they are interested in information about bone marrow donation. If patients express interest, these facilities must provide relevant information and contact details for local donation programs.

Contention

While the bill does not appear to have faced major opposition during discussions, some stakeholders may raise questions over the practical implementation of these requirements in busy healthcare settings. Concerns could also center around how to best ensure that patients are adequately informed without adding undue burden on healthcare providers. Additionally, the effectiveness of such inquiries in genuinely increasing participation rates is yet to be determined.