HI SR52

Urges all Hawaii health care providers that perform organ transplants to consider placing HIV-positive patients needing transplants on organ transplant waitlists.

Notes that 2,425 people in Hawaii were living with HIV or AIDS in 2011, with numbers increasing annually due to highly active antiretroviral therapy suppressing the virus.

States that HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy now typically die from end-stage organ disease rather than AIDS-related infections, making transplants essential for survival.

Cites research showing HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients experienced 94.6% one-year survival rates and 88.2% three-year survival rates, comparable to non-HIV recipients and better than recipients over age 65.

Directs the Director of Health to transmit copies of the resolution to chief executive officers of all Hawaii health care providers performing organ transplants and to the Executive Director of Legacy of Life.