Eight Surveys Show Broad Support for Compensating Kidney Donors

Across eight independent surveys, both the American public and transplant professionals have consistently supported compensating living kidney donors.

Public Opinion
Five national surveys show strong and growing approval from Americans:

• 2019 – Johns Hopkins: Most Americans favor compensation for kidney donors if it saves more lives

• 2016 – JAMA Surgery: U.S. voters approve of paying kidney donors

• 2012 – Reuters Poll: Widespread support for compensating organ donors

• 2006 – American Journal of Transplantation: Support across racial, ethnic, and income groups

• 1993 – A Report of the Payment Subcommittee of the Ethics Committee, United Network for Organ Sharing / National Kidney Foundation

Transplant Professional Support
Three major surveys and expert convenings show that support is also strong within the doctors in the transplant field:

• 2015 – Joint ASTS / AST workshop: Participants concluded there is “no a priori reason” not to test regulated incentives and emphasized that ethical donor compensation is distinct from illegal organ markets

• 2014 – Global AJKD Study: About 60% of transplant physicians and surgeons support incentives; large majorities support removing financial disincentives like lost wages and travel costs

• 2009 – Survey of American Society of Transplant Surgeons members: Strong support for updating U.S. law to allow evaluation of safe, government-regulated incentives