In Israel, organ donors prioritized when in need

Israel will soon become the first country to move people with organ donor cards up the list if they ever need a transplant themselves. Advocates of the new program say it’s a win-win plan that will boost Israel’s rate of donor sign-ups higher than its current 10 percent, while critics argue that the program violates the ideal of care being provided solely based on need.

Priority will still be given to patients immediately in need of heart, lung, and liver transplants, but when two people need the same organ, this priority scheme will have an impact. We’re joined from Tel Aviv by a leading supporter of the reform, Professor Jacob Lavee, whose article in the medical journal “The Lancet? outlined the new Israeli proposals on organ donation. We also speak with Dr. Sally Satel, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, in Washington