- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- June 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780804784092
- eISBN:
- 9780804784641
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9780804784092.003.0006
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
This chapter reviews proposed reforms for the organ procurement system that fall short of donor compensation. In general, policies to reduce waiting lists within the existing procurement framework ...
More
This chapter reviews proposed reforms for the organ procurement system that fall short of donor compensation. In general, policies to reduce waiting lists within the existing procurement framework fall into three categories. First, many efforts are aimed at influencing the behavior of potential or actual organ donors. Public service advertising, appeals to people's moral decency, and propaganda efforts fall into this category. A second type of program aims to increase the extent to which the existing pool of potential organ donors is realized. These programs, such as the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative in the United States and the “Spanish model,” provide hospitals with both incentives to actively pursue donations and additional resources to support such efforts. A third category of possible reforms has received little attention so far: the effort to reduce the need for transplants—what economists might term “demand-side management.” For example, many individuals needing kidney transplants suffer either from poorly managed diabetes or untreated hypertension that can lead to organ damage. Programs that effectively treat these preconditions would almost surely be economically efficient when the costs of ongoing dialysis and transplantation are considered.Less
This chapter reviews proposed reforms for the organ procurement system that fall short of donor compensation. In general, policies to reduce waiting lists within the existing procurement framework fall into three categories. First, many efforts are aimed at influencing the behavior of potential or actual organ donors. Public service advertising, appeals to people's moral decency, and propaganda efforts fall into this category. A second type of program aims to increase the extent to which the existing pool of potential organ donors is realized. These programs, such as the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative in the United States and the “Spanish model,” provide hospitals with both incentives to actively pursue donations and additional resources to support such efforts. A third category of possible reforms has received little attention so far: the effort to reduce the need for transplants—what economists might term “demand-side management.” For example, many individuals needing kidney transplants suffer either from poorly managed diabetes or untreated hypertension that can lead to organ damage. Programs that effectively treat these preconditions would almost surely be economically efficient when the costs of ongoing dialysis and transplantation are considered.
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- June 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780804784092
- eISBN:
- 9780804784641
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9780804784092.003.0003
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
This chapter examines the current state of the global organ procurement system and discusses the most direct consequence of the organ shortage: transplant waiting lists. It analyzes waiting list ...
More
This chapter examines the current state of the global organ procurement system and discusses the most direct consequence of the organ shortage: transplant waiting lists. It analyzes waiting list dynamics and the situations both in and outside the United States. It examines the secondary effects of the shortage and analyzes the increased reliance on living donors and the rising use of marginal donors. A third “secondary consequence”—the black market for kidneys—which is considered an especially dire effect of waiting lists, is treated at some length. Finally, the chapter reviews the future prospects for the global organ shortage.Less
This chapter examines the current state of the global organ procurement system and discusses the most direct consequence of the organ shortage: transplant waiting lists. It analyzes waiting list dynamics and the situations both in and outside the United States. It examines the secondary effects of the shortage and analyzes the increased reliance on living donors and the rising use of marginal donors. A third “secondary consequence”—the black market for kidneys—which is considered an especially dire effect of waiting lists, is treated at some length. Finally, the chapter reviews the future prospects for the global organ shortage.
