Bill Overview
Title: SAVE Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits transplant centers from discriminating against an individual on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination status for purposes of determining eligibility or assigning priority for organ transplants.
Sponsors: Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals seeking organ transplants
Estimated Size: 105000
- The bill affects individuals who are in need of organ transplants, as it changes the criteria used for their eligibility and prioritization.
- As of now, there are numerous individuals waiting for organ transplants globally. This includes people on waiting lists for heart, liver, kidney, and other organ transplants.
- The number of patients registered on organ transplant lists can be used to estimate the population affected.
- Unvaccinated individuals who might have faced discrimination under previous policies will be directly impacted, as they will no longer be deprioritized based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Reasoning
- The budget constraints imply that the implementation of the policy must prioritize effectively among all qualifying individuals.
- Given the relatively large target population of about 105,000 individuals on the waiting list, the policy will primarily focus on making organ allocation decisions not dependent on vaccination status.
- Certain individuals who are unvaccinated may now have a higher chance of receiving the transplant, but the overall prioritization will still depend on medical urgencies and other factors unrelated to COVID-19 vaccination status.
- The population includes a diverse array of individuals across age and health statuses, potentially leading to varying levels of impact from the policy.
Simulated Interviews
software engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am relieved by this policy. I was worried that not having the vaccine would lower my chances of getting a transplant, even though I have valid medical reasons for avoiding it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
graphic designer (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm vaccinated, so the policy doesn't directly benefit me, but I am still glad it promotes fairness.
- I hope that organ allocation continues to be based on medical need rather than unrelated criteria.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
librarian (Boston, MA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's fair to keep vaccination status out of transplant decisions.
- While it doesn't change my situation, it's a positive step in ensuring all patients are treated equally regardless of their vaccine decisions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
construction worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This gives me hope that I won't be sidetracked for a transplant due to not having the vaccine.
- It’s encouraging to see changes that don't penalize personal health choices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
retired (New York, NY)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s critical for organ transplants to be prioritized based on health, not vaccination status.
- I think the policy helps ensure fair chances for survival.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a vaccinated individual, I don't face the same barriers others might, but I'm glad this policy could help increase the pool of potential transplant candidates.
- It underlines a shift towards prioritizing medical need above all else.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
fitness coach (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved to see that policies now reflect a more balanced approach to healthcare decisions.
- This policy reassures me that my health choices won't negatively affect my chances at life-saving treatment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
retired nurse (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This ensures that treatment isn't denied because of unrelated health decisions like taking a vaccine, which seems fair.
- All patients deserve equal treatment regardless of vaccine status.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
college student (Houston, TX)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy removes a huge worry about having to choose between a medical procedure and personal beliefs.
- I believe everyone should have equal access to healthcare, regardless of vaccination status.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
artist (Portland, OR)
Age: 36 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a big load off my shoulders knowing my vaccine status won't affect my chances of getting an organ.
- Policies like this are vital for ensuring no one is discriminated against in healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5200000 (Low: $3100000, High: $7300000)
Year 3: $5408000 (Low: $3205000, High: $7612000)
Year 5: $5832000 (Low: $3464700, High: $8219200)
Year 10: $6713600 (Low: $3987100, High: $9464700)
Year 100: $14100640 (Low: $8372910, High: $19809640)
Key Considerations
- The bill's effect is limited to healthcare policy and does not mandate direct spending by the federal government.
- Administrative costs will vary depending on the size and current practices of the transplant centers.
- The change may create legal questions about the balance between public health and individual rights.