An Evaluation of Financial Incentive Policies for Organ Donations in the United States
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Department
Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs
Abstract
This paper examines the association between financial incentives and organ donations. Although the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 prohibits financial compensation for organs for transplant, we focus on the impact of laws that influence the relative cost of deceased and live organ donations on the supply of organs for transplant. First, we hypothesize that states that have relatively stringent funeral regulations, which have been associated with higher whole-body donations, will have fewer organ donations. Second, we examine the impact of two common state laws that offer financial compensation to live donors: one that allows a tax deduction for costs incurred and the other which entitles government employees up to 30 days of paid leave. We find no evidence to support that these laws affect organ donations. (JEL I11, I18)
Publication Title
Contemporary Economic Policy
Volume
29
Issue
1
First Page
1
Last Page
13
Recommended Citation
Wellington, A. J.,
Sayre, E. A.
(2011). An Evaluation of Financial Incentive Policies for Organ Donations in the United States. Contemporary Economic Policy, 29(1), 1-13.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/582