Divisive Organ Donation Plan Shelved In Colorado

DENVER (AP) -- A divisive plan to boost organ and tissue donations in Colorado by switching all driver's license applicants to donors unless they opt has been shelved after the plan sparked loud opposition.

The Senate Health & Human Services Committee voted 9-0 to reject the "presumed consent" plan for organ donations on Wednesday. The donation plan is common in parts of Europe and has been credited for boosting donation rates there. But Colorado became the fourth state in the U.S. to reject "presumed consent" donations amid concerns that the practice seems coercive.

Democratic Sen. Lucia Guzman of Denver was the sponsor of the bill and apologized to her constituents who were alarmed at the prospect. She asked for Senate Bill 42 to be shelved.

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