American Kidney Fund Applauds Iowa for Making Living Donor Protections State Law

ROCKVILLE, Md. (May 19, 2026) - The American Kidney Fund (AKF) commends Iowa for making living organ donor protections state law with HF 2633, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 15. The legislation prohibits life, disability and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, raising premiums or canceling policies solely because someone is a living organ donor. 

By enacting HF 2633, Iowa becomes the 39th state in the country to pass legislation that mandates these critical protections for living organ donors. AKF worked closely with state Rep. Michael Bergan, the bill sponsor, on language for HF 2633 and testified in favor of the legislation. Expanding living donor protections at the state and federal level has been an integral part of AKF's policy agenda for many years.  

"No one who makes the selfless decision to give a kidney to someone in need should have to worry about insurance discrimination," said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. "Sadly, this is the reality for many living organ donors across the country, and this reality can dissuade people who would otherwise donate from giving the gift of life. We thank Rep. Bergan for working with us to pass this much-needed legislation, as it provides living donors with the protections they deserve so they can help save a life." 

AKF's State of the States: Living Donor Protection Report Card grades states on seven categories of publicly reported legislation and regulations they have in place to protect living organ donors and encourage living donations. Without federal legislation to protect living donors, there is an uneven patchwork of protections across the nation, with some states providing no protections at all. By passing HF 2633, Iowa's grade improves from a C to a B.

Most transplanted organs come from deceased donors, but patients can also receive organs from living donors. Living donor transplants generally present fewer complications than deceased donor transplants and typically survive longer than deceased donor organs.

There are more than 100,000 Americans on the organ transplant waiting list and almost 90% are waiting for a kidney. Last year, living donors made about 1 in 4 kidney transplants possible. In Iowa, there are currently more than 500 people on the kidney transplant waiting list; last year 39 of the 133 kidney transplants performed were from living donors.

AKF provides long-term financial assistance that makes transplants and post-transplant care possible for low-income dialysis patients. In 2025, AKF grants helped 1,673 people nationwide receive kidney transplants — roughly 6% of all kidney transplants performed in the United States last year.  AKF's program helps post-transplant patients for their full insurance plan year, ensuring continuity of care.