Biden–Harris Administration Expands Access to Life-Saving Organ Transplants Through HOPE Act Reform

There is life-changing news for Americans awaiting organ transplants: The Biden–Harris Administration has removed key barriers for organ donation from recipients living with HIV—a move that could dramatically reduce waiting times for thousands of patients. This landmark policy change, announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), marks a significant advancement in expanding access to transplantation for people with HIV and end-stage chronic diseases.

The impact is substantial: Recipients with HIV who elect to receive a kidney from a donor with HIV are 3.3 times more likely to receive a transplant. Even more striking, their median wait time drops from 60.8 months to just 10.3 months—a decrease in wait time that can mean the difference between life and death.

This reform builds on the success of the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, which previously required that these transplants must be conducted in research settings. Now, backed by National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded studies showing outcomes comparable to traditional transplants, HHS has removed research requirements for kidney and liver transplants between donors with HIV and recipients with HIV.

Although additional studies are being conducted, this change currently applies only to kidney and liver transplants. Research protocols remain in place for other organ transplants between donors and recipients with HIV.

This policy update reflects a growing understanding of HIV care and organ transplantation, while simultaneously expanding the available organ pool for all Americans awaiting transplants. Whether you are living with HIV or not, registering as an organ donor can save lives. Everyone deserves a second chance at life. Go to OrganDonor.gov to sign up!

For detailed information about the new policy, please refer to [Federal Register :: Public Inspection: Organ Procurement and Transplantation: Implementation of the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act].