Illinois lawmakers have passed a bill in May that would make the state the first in the nation to allow HIV patients to donate their organs to other HIV-positive adults needing organ transplants. HIV-positive people are beginning to need organ transplants as they live longer due to successful antiretroviral therapy and are experiencing organ-damaging symptoms of other ailments, like hepatitis or kidney disease.
Illinois officials will now work with the United Network for Organ Sharing'the organization that coordinates the nation's transplant system'to revamp organ donor rules that prohibit donations from those infected with HIV.
