Wednesday, March 23, 2005 plate

State wants donor symbol on licenses

Senate unanimously passes bill that would make intentions clear to medical employees.

By David Eggert / Associated Press Writer

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Legislation approved Tuesday by the state Senate would require that potential organ donors be identified by a heart symbol on the front of their driver's license or state ID card.

Would-be donors now sign a statement on the back of the card saying they would like to donate. But supporters said that over time the signed statement can wear off or become smudged, making the information illegible. Another problem is many people incorrectly think signing the back of their driver's license automatically puts them on the state's Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

 "That's not the case," said Tammie Havermahl, public education director for Gift of Life Michigan, which coordinates organ donations. "People think they're on the registry and they're not."

One now must fill out a separate card to get on the registry, not sign the back of the ID card. Supporters of the legislation said the heart symbol would indicate whether someone has actually joined the registry, and would be more visible to medical workers if it were on the front of the card.

Senators approved the measure 38-0 and shipped it to the House, which is considering two related bills. The legislation also would require the secretary of state's office to ask those applying for or renewing a card if they want to join the registry. The state now mails registration cards with every renewal notice, but many people don't fill them out or read them, according to Gift of Life Michigan.

Havermahl said directly asking someone to register is more effective than simply providing information about organ donation. She estimated that the legislation would boost donor registration from 8 percent of the state's population to 25 percent in four years.

As of March 1, there were 2,678 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in Michigan.

Since the start of the year, 43 people have died waiting for transplants, according to Gift of Life Michigan. State officials said making people's donor status a permanent part of their record -- next to height or the need for glasses -- would improve the efficiency and ease of the organ registration and matching processes.

"What's nice about it is it allows your emergency room workers to clearly know up front if they have someone who's agreed to be an organ donor," said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. If signed into law, the changes would take place starting Jan. 1, 2007.

The legislation reiterates language in a 2003 law, which says enrolling in the registry means donating an organ is not revocable after the donor's death.