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Albany, New York (April 8, 2025) – New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Assemblymember Phil Palmesano hosted a large, bipartisan group of state legislators, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner, leadership from Donate Life New York State,and impacted New Yorkers today at the Capitol to celebrate Donate Life Month and advocate for the Helping Equal Access to Registrations for Transplants (HEART) Act (S.7151A / A.7617). The HEART Act would repeal New York's ban on multi-listing, allowing patients to register at multiple transplant centers simultaneously and improving access to life-saving organs for low-income New Yorkers.

“Every day, thousands of New Yorkers are waiting for their life-saving organ transplant. I am proud to have introduced the HEART Act and to work with my colleagues, Donate Life New York State, and all those impacted by organ and tissue donation to improve and modernize the organ donation and transplant process in this State,” said New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. “The HEART Act will reduce wait times and establish a more just and equitable system for all those in need of a transplant, and I look forward to it becoming law.”

“My sister Teresa had juvenile diabetes which devastated her kidneys and her health overall. She received two kidney transplants in her life, once in 2000 from the kindness of a stranger and once in 2006, when I had the privilege to donate a kidney to Teresa. So I have seen firsthand how organ donation can impact and improve the quality of life of a family,” said New York State Assemblymember Phil Palmesano. “I tell people Teresa was a lucky one as she received two transplants. Legislation like the HEART Act will make it possible for many more New Yorkers in need to receive life-changing transplants. We must continue our bipartisan efforts of working together to help raise awareness about the critical need for organ donation and implement smart policies which encourage, and make it easier for, people to join the registry and help save lives.”

New York currently prohibits in-state multi-listing, limiting patient options and restricting their access to transplants within the state. While individuals with private insurance can bypass this restriction by listing at out-of-state centers, Medicaid recipients face significant financial barriers to doing so. Patients of color, particularly Black and Hispanic New Yorkers, are more frequently Medicaid recipients, putting them at a disadvantage to find a match. By allowing New Yorkers to list at more than one transplant center, the HEART Act would increase the likelihood of receiving a transplant by nearly cutting wait times in half, decreasing mortality rates by around 20 percent.

“At Donate Life New York State, we work every day toward achieving our mission of ensuring a life-changing organ transplant for every New Yorker in need,” said Aisha Tator, Executive Director of Donate Life New York State. “We are incredibly honored to partner with Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes on the HEART Act, which would not only empower patients and reduce wait times but also promote fairness through strategic reforms. By embracing federal standards and enhancing support for vulnerable populations, this critical legislation would open the door to life-saving transplants, establishing critical care as a right available to all, not a privilege reserved for a select few.”

Last year, New York passed a major health milestone when for the first time, the majority of age-eligible New Yorkers were registered as organ donors. Despite progress, nearly 8,000 New Yorkers remain on the waitlist for a life-changing organ, and roughly 400 lose their lives each year due to a shortage of donors. Today, this diverse group of elected officials, advocates, and impacted individuals shared their personal connections to this cause and called on legislators to support the HEART Act to help further Donate Life New York State’s mission of ensuring a life-changing transplant for every New Yorker in need. 

 New Yorkers can register to become organ donors at DonateLifeNYS.org/register.

“The Helping Equal Access to Registrations for Transplants (HEART) Act is a critical step toward ensuring that all New Yorkers have equal access to life-saving organ transplants,” said New York State Senator Lea Webb. “No one should be left behind because of their background or circumstances. By removing barriers and expanding opportunities for transplant registration, we can give more people the chance at a second life. I’m proud to support this important legislation that brings us closer to a fairer, healthier future for all.”

“Today we stood together in support of the HEART Act – a bill that has the power to save lives. This critical legislation will repeal New York's antiquated ban on multi-listing, allowing patients to register at multiple transplant centers simultaneously. The HEART Act will cut wait times and reduce mortality rates,” said New York State Assemblymember Amy Paulin. “I thank Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Assembly Member Phil Palmesano, and Donate Life New York for their tireless advocacy and unwavering dedication to increasing organ, eye, and tissue donation. This is not a partisan issue – it is a human issue. It is a moral issue. And it is a life-or-death issue. Let’s pass the HEART Act and give every New Yorker in need of a transplant a fighting chance.”

“By donating a kidney, I was fortunate to give someone the gift of life, an act that reflects the spirit of today's celebration,” said New York State Assemblymember Ari Brown. “The HEART Act, championed by Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Assemblymember Phil Palmesano, alongside Donate Life New York State, will help ensure that more New Yorkers have access to life-saving transplants. This bipartisan effort embodies the power of community and compassion, bringing us one step closer to a future where every person in need of an organ transplant has the chance to receive one.”

“Donate Life Month is incredibly important to me and my family. It is a month to celebrate everyone who has registered as organ, eye and tissue donors on the Donate Life Registry, and it is a month to celebrate everyone who has donated to those in need. My late son, Alexander John Smullen, known as “AJ” by friends and family, gave the ultimate gift of life after his passing in March of 2024. AJ courageously donated organs to five families in need – that is five less families who might have lost a loved one had they not received a donation in time. AJ is a hero. His sacrifice was not in vain. His legacy and spirit live on in those lives he saved,” said New York State Assemblymember Robert Smullen. “I encourage all New Yorkers to register as donors and participate in this incredible program. Donate Life New York State and other programs like it save lives each and every day. I will continue to collaborate with my legislative colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand the Donate Life program. Together, we can make a difference and help save lives.”

“About 400 people die in New York each year as they languish on a waiting list while in need of an organ. I am a proud co-sponsor of the HEART Act, because I firmly believe that New York State has a moral obligation to reduce wait times, promote fairness in access and give more people a chance to extend their lives,” said New York State Assemblymember Latrice Walker. “This critical piece of legislation would remove barriers and allow Medicaid recipients – many of whom are low-income Black and brown New Yorkers – to list at multiple transplant centers, increasing the likelihood of receiving an organ. It’s not only an issue of fairness, but it’s also a matter of life and death.”

“Organ donation isn’t just a policy issue for me – it’s deeply personal. My own son waited 16 years for a kidney donation, and when he finally received it, it changed all of our lives. But too many New Yorkers are still waiting,” said New York State Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia. “That’s why I’m proud to sponsor legislation that would allow New Yorkers to register as organ donors when they file their taxes, and why I support the HEART Act to give patients a better chance at finding a life-saving match.”

“Organ donation saves lives but it also has the ability to build strong bonds within our communities and promote healthy lifestyles,” said New York State Assemblymember Brian Maher. “When my wife became a living kidney donor we formed a bond with her donor recipient that we continue to enjoy today and both my wife and I are more committed than ever to living a more healthy lifestyle and appreciating what we have. I am so proud to join my colleagues to show bipartisan support for this worthwhile cause.”

“Organ donation is vitally important to New Yorkers, and DMV is so proud to be the primary pathway for New Yorkers to join the donor registry,” said New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “We were thrilled when Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the majority of eligible New Yorkers are now registered, but we know far too many New Yorkers still need a life-saving transplant and our work is far from over. Together with our partners, we will continue to raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation, and help spread the gift of life to the thousands of New Yorkers in need.”

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About Donate Life New York State

Donate Life New York State (NYS) is the statewide non-profit organization dedicated to increasing organ, eye, and tissue donation in New York State. Our goal is to ensure a life changing transplant for every New Yorker in need. Since 2002, we’ve served as the voice for New York’s organ, eye and tissue donation community, bringing together recovery organizations, health professionals, community organizations, and people whose lives have been touched by our mission. Donate Life NYS operates the New York State Donate Life Registry under contract with the State of New York, and advances organ, eye, and tissue donation through public and professional education, Registry enrollment campaigns, legislative advocacy, social and behavioral research, strategic partnerships, and collaborative forums with the greater donation and transplantation community.