Insurance and Real Estate Committee
HOUSE FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5255
AN ACT CONCERNING LIVING ORGAN DONOR INSURANCE
Title: DISCRIMINATION.
Vote Date: 3/10/2020
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/25/2020
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following HOUSE FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Insurance and Real Estate Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill will protect those who choose to be living donors from being discriminated against
when purchasing insurance.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Senator Martin Looney, President Pro Tempore-Connecticut General Assembly-Support
While health insurers cannot discriminate on the basis of a pre-existing condition, there is no
such prohibition regarding life insurance, long-term care insurance, or disability income
protection. Living organ donors are brave and generous people who should not suffer
discrimination for their courageous choices
Senator Derek Slap-Connecticut General Assembly-Support as a national leader in
insurance, we need to close the loop on this issue and enact comprehensive protections for
living donors.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Blackwell, Charlene-Support donor who was discriminated against
Boice, Phillip-Support donor concerned about future
Bowen, Beverly-Support donor concerned about future
Brooks, Ned, Founder - CEO-Donor to Donor-Support and Donor also read testimony of
donor who has been discriminated against.
Candelora, Carolyn-Support donor concerned about future
Capone, April, Manager-Yale New Haven Hospital-Support donor hoping to never be
discriminated against
Dowd, Mary-Support donor, not yet discriminated against but worried
Egge, Brian-Support donor specifically not discriminated against by insurance but worried for
future
Gilmartin, Robin -Support Donor concerned that people could be discriminated against for
insurance.
Grant, Hilary-Support Donor concerned that if Obamacare goes away so does insurance
coverage
Greenwood, Devon-Support Donor concerned that should she ever lose her coverage she
would have a "pre-existing condition" and be uninsurable
Halter, Armand-Support Recipient works with various kidney orgs
Kaminski, Susan-Support Donor concerned about future Ins. coverage
Lee, Ryan-Support- Donor concerned might be discriminated against in future
McCartin, Sarah-Support Donor and runs KidUNot org. was not able to be told in advance by
her insurer is she would be covered because it was "elective"
Menno-Coveney, Patricia-Support donor concerned could be denied in future
Nugent, Judith-Support Donor concerned about future coverage
Sadie-Support donor
Sikes, Peter-Support donor concerned about future coverage
Smith, Andrea-Support donor has not been discriminated against but concerns about future
Sokolski, Sheila-Support Donor has not been discriminated against but knows people who
have
Zimmerman, Troy, Vice President-National Kidney Foundation-Support concerned that all
donors should not be discriminated against as that could limit those who donate.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Eric George, ACLI & IAC-Oppose suggests some changes that would bring it in line with
what has been agreed upon by other states and the Kidney Assoc,
Page 2 of 3 HB-5255
Reported by: Dawn Marzik Date: April 15,2020
Page 3 of 3 HB-5255
Statutes affected: Raised Bill: