Hawaii House Bill HCR22

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/26
• Refer: 3/10/26
• Report Pass: 4/1/26
• Refer: 4/1/26
• Report Pass: 4/9/26
• Engrossed: 4/9/26
• Refer: 4/10/26

Caption

Urging The United States Congress To Pass H.r. 2687, Also Known As The End Kidney Deaths Act.

Impact

The resolution articulates that by endorsing the End Kidney Deaths Act, Hawaii supports a legislative movement that would introduce refundable tax credits for individuals donating a kidney to a stranger. This measure seeks to boost the number of living kidney donors, thereby addressing the persistent shortage of kidneys available for transplantation, a situation exacerbated by a stagnant number of living donors over the past 25 years. Furthermore, the Act is portrayed as a bipartisan approach to resolving public health and fiscal challenges associated with kidney disease and transplantation.

Summary

HCR22 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2687, known as the End Kidney Deaths Act. This resolution highlights the severe impact of kidney disease, particularly on marginalized communities, and emphasizes the disproportionate burden faced by Hawaii residents dependent on dialysis. The resolution underscores the need for effective and timely treatment options to combat kidney failure, which affects over five thousand residents and leads to hundreds of deaths annually in Hawaii alone. It presents compelling statistics indicating the potential for expanded kidney transplantation to save lives and reduce government healthcare spending.

Contention

Notable points of contention identified include the ethical aspects surrounding living kidney donation and the implementation of tax incentives for non-directed donations. Some stakeholders may raise concerns about the potential commodification of organ donation and the safeguards needed to protect donors. The resolution encourages Hawaii's congressional delegation to actively support essential changes that not only address health disparities but also advocate for solutions that can lead to sustainable improvements in the healthcare system.

Additional_points

The resolution positions expanded access to kidney transplantation as a pivotal step not only in saving lives but also in alleviating the financial burden of dialysis on both patients and the federal government. With a projected reduction of approximately $4 billion in annual healthcare spending, HCR22 serves as a call to action for Congress to reconsider policies that hinder the growth of living donor programs and to prioritize initiatives that enhance health outcomes for vulnerable populations.