Missouri Senator introduces bill to expand options for state organ donors

Intro: The Missouri Senate Financial Committee heard a bill Monday that would make organ donations in the state less complicated.

Blair Miller has more from the State Capitol.

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The bill will expand decisions on organ donations beyond personal consent and immediate family to include parents, guardians, attorneys, and grandchildren, among others, depending on each case.

Republican Senator Tom Dempsey from St. Charles County said the organ donation process in Missouri needs to be revised.

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Description: When you have people who decide that they want to donate, that we should honor that request, and this legislation will update legislation that hasn't been changed for decades.

The committee heard testimony in favor of the bill from health and transplant company representatives from across the state.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.

Intro: A Missouri Republican is pushing a bill to make it easier for people to give away their organs after they die. For more from Jefferson City, here is Blair Miller. RunTime:0:40
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Republican Senator Tom Dempsey of St. Charles County provided witnesses to testify on the bill Monday.

One of several health professionals testifying in favor of the bill was Dr. Ronald Walkenbach, chairman for the Missouri Organ Donation Advisory Committee.

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Description: I think the real value of this bill is not so much to make it easier for people to donate - that is important too - but this bill maximizes the possibility that someone who wants to donate actually has the legal possibility to do so.

Chairmen of the Midwest Transplant Network and the Missouri Transplant Program also testified in favor.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.

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Republican Senator Tom Dempsey from St. Charles County had several health professionals testify in favor of his bill that will expand possibilities for organ donors and recipients.

Dempsey said that current procedures need to be revised so more people can benefit from the program.

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Description: There are thousands of people who take the steps toward donation but for various reasons, ultimately, those donations aren't made.

The bill has personal sentiment to Dempsey, who recently made an organ donation to his mother.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.