Organ donors
New York State has one of the lowest rates of organ donor enrollment in the country -- 18 percent, compared to the national average of 43 percent -- according to the Cuomo admin. Andrew Cuomo signed a law today that will change the language on the DMV's forms for drivers licenses and ID cards in an effort to increase enrollment. (Having just renewed a license, it's not like the current language is confusing or anything -- you just have to sign your name on the form.)
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Comments
A major reason for the low rate of organ donor enrollment in NY has been the lack of an online method to enroll until very recently. Before that, you could only enroll when renewing your drivers license, which is not very frequent, or you could get the form online, print it out, sign it, find an envelope, find a stamp, and mail it in. The big holdup to fully online enrollment was the state government's refusal to recognize an electronic signature. Hopefully now our organ donor enrollment rates will increase.
... said Amy on Oct 4, 2012 at 3:49 PM | link
It is such an important decision, I wonder why the only easy way for people to sign up is as an afterthought on a DMV form. It is daunting to check that box, especially after one inevitably imagines the fiery car crash that would precede organ donation. Why can't we sign up at our annual physical exam, so we can ask any medical questions we have about organ donation to our physician?
... said Kathleen Lisson on Oct 4, 2012 at 11:44 PM | link