Legislation to end the federal ban on research into organ donations between HIV-positive people has passed a U.S. Senate committee, according to a statement by Senators Barbara Boxer (D–Calif.) and Tom Coburn (R–Okla.), who coauthored the bill. The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee passed the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, which would open a pathway to eventual transplantation of these organs. The bipartisan measure also was sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D–Wisc.), Rand Paul (R–Ky.), Michael Enzi (R–Wyo.), Richard Burr (R–N.C.) and Mark Kirk (R–Ill.). The medically outdated ban was first enacted in 1988.

To read the statement, click here.