Should the families of organ donors be compensated?

The United States faces a critical organ shortage where over 100,000 people remain on waiting lists and 5,000 die annually, costing the government up to $45 billion in yearly dialysis and treatment expenses. Economists Alex Chan and Kurt Sweat propose a market-based solution to increase supply by 9-35% through government-funded compensation for donor families, specifically covering funeral costs and travel expenses capped at $8,000. While the 1984 National Organ Transplant Act currently prohibits exchanging organs for "valuable consideration" to prevent predatory practices, proponents argue that existing precedents for plasma and whole-body donations justify a policy shift. This financial incentive aims to bridge the gap between wealthy and low-resource families, making the "heroic decision" to donate more equitable. However, implementation requires strict guardrails to ensure that financial reimbursement remains a gesture of gratitude rather than a coercive influence during moments of grief.