Insurance and Organ Donors
Becoming an organ donor provides a huge benefit to our society, allowing our bodies to be put to good use and help those in need after we have passed away. Becoming an organ donor, though, should not submit one to higher insurance costs, or potential discrimination from employers. Illinois recently passed a law protecting living organ donors from actions taken by insurance companies and employers. Under this law, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, insurance companies cannot deny coverage or raise the cost of premiums merely because someone is a living organ donor. This applies to providers of life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance. Furthermore, employers cannot retaliate against employees for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence to donate blood, an organ, or bone marrow. This legislation removes some of the unnecessary obstacles living organ donors face, and will hopefully lead to more people choosing to be organ donors in order help others.