Dynamist Blog

The National Kidney Foundation's Baleful Effects, Cont'd

Reader Chaim Katz writes:

You may not know this, but in 2004 the state legislature of South Carolina passed a bill authorizing tax credits for [cadaver] organ donors. (The $1000 credit was to have been redeemed by the family.)

The Governor of the state, Mark Sanford, vetoed the bill. His veto message is here.

I found this veto ironic, tragic, and mysterious given that Sanford is ostensibly one of the most libertarian governors in the country. This isn't just my opinion--The State newspaper uses the 'L word' regularly to describe Sanford.

As examples of Sanford's libertarians bona fides, you might note that he was self-limited U.S. Congressman; as Governor he proposed statewide universal school choice (through tax credits); and he has vetoed such measures as increased fines for failure to use child safety seats and an unconstitutional ban on protesting within 1000 yards of a funeral.

Yet given a solution that could possibly save thousands of lives while coercing no one--and costing zero political capital--Sanford punted. My mind boggles.

Sanford may be correct that a state tax credit would violate federal law--a test case would be needed--but there is no reason to deem it immoral, except that the National Kidney Foundation says so. Sanford cites the NKF's opposition in his veto message, on the false assumption that they speak for the interest of people with kidney disease. I'm not sure how big a difference a tax credit would make, but it is worth a try, especially since the very existence of the credit could encourage more people to sign organ donor cards.

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