House approves organ donor reimbursement

WASHINGTON, March 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. House has approved a bill to encourage more live organ donations by reimbursing donors for travel and giving related expenses.

The legislation would provide $5 million a year beginning in October to reimburse qualified donors and an additional $15 million in grants to states for public awareness efforts, studies, and new hospital-based donor programs.

The Senate must now approve the measure, a similar version of which was passed by the body last year.