National Organ Transplant Act

(Reported to House from the Committee on Energy and Commerce with amendment, H. Rept. 98-575 (Part I))

National Organ Transplant Act - Title I: Organ Procurement Activities - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make planning and operations grants for local organ procurement organizations. Sets forth eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1989.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a private nonprofit United States Transplantation Network to provide a central registry linking donors and potential recipients; (2) establish and maintain an organ recipient registry; (3) maintain an identifiable unit in the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate Federal organ transplant programs and policies; and (4) publish an annual report on the scientific and clinical status of organ transplantation.

Directs the Secretary to establish a Task Force on Organ Transplantation. Requires such Task Force to: (1) conduct a national conference within six months; and (2) report to the Secretary. Terminates the Task Force 12 months after such report is submitted.

Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Amendments - Amends the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary to place reasonable conditions, if medically justified, on Medicare coverage for specific health care technologies or procedures.

Permits Medicare and Medicaid organ transplantations at specified centers.

Provides for Medicare payments for immunosuppressive drugs for 36 months after a Medicare-paid transplant.

Exempts organ procurement activities from specified cost limits.

Requires States to develop written Medicaid payment policies for organ transplants. Requires State Medicaid plans to participate in any transplant program established under Medicare. Requires designated Medicare transplant centers to serve Medicaid patients.

Title III: Prohibitions on Organ Purchases - Prohibits the sale of human organs. Subjects violators to maximum penalties of $50,000 or five years in prison, or both.