State Representative Michael Hale Seeks Changes in State’s Anatomical Gift (Organ Donation) Law

February 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

State Representative Michael Hale wants to change the state’s anatomical gift (organ donation) law.

Although a small percentage of persons choose organ donation, the law gives Tennessee Donor Services authority to contact families about organ donation before bodies of their deceased loves ones are released to them from the hospital.

Hale said the procedure needs to be changed to streamline the process for families who may or may not want to make an anatomical gift (organ donation) of a decedent’s body or body parts after their loved one dies in a hospital.

This bill requires the individual that signs the death certificate to ask whether the family wants to make an anatomical gift of the decedent’s body and it prohibits an organ procurement organization (Tennessee Donor Services) from contacting the family if they should refuse to make an anatomical gift of the decedent’s body or body parts.

“In Tennessee there is a rule through Medicare and Medicaid funding that hospitals have to notify an organ procurement company when someone dies in the hospital. It does not affect nursing homes, hospices, etc. but a hospital has to contact a procurement company and in Tennessee that is Tennessee Donor Services,” said Representative Hale.

“Tennessee Donor Services then contacts the family and asks if they want to donate. What is happening across the state is these bodies are being held in hospitals 10 to 12 hours until Tennessee Donor Services contacts the families. One funeral director in East Tennessee told me a body was held in the hospital for 22 hours until the family was contacted even though the family did not want to make an organ donation,” Hale continued.

“I had a family in December tell me they felt they were pressured. A couple of week ago I was in Carthage and a lady with tears rolling down her face said her family member was held at the hospital because of Tennessee Donors even though she had told them to call the funeral home. The law says in Tennessee when a person dies, they become the possession of the next of kin but in cases like this Tennessee Donors is able to hold these bodies in the hospital for hours,” he said.

“What I have proposed is when someone dies in a hospital or is on life support, a nurse and or doctor, or medical examiner, with the proper training, would be able to talk to the family about organ or tissue donation. This would allow healthcare professionals to handle this rather than a third party,” said Hale.

“Opponents of the legislation are pushing back saying it would affect hospital funding, but I have received verification from US Senator Bill Haggerty’s office that this would have absolutely nothing to do with funding as long as healthcare professionals are trained to have a conversation with the family about organ donation and then if a family declines organ donation they can sign a release to the funeral home,” said Representative Hale.

February 18, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The curtain has come down on the season for the DCHS Tigers as they lost to the White County Warriors 93 to 75 in the first round of the District Basketball Tournament at Sparta Friday night.

The Tigers, under first year head coach Joey Agee, completed the campaign at 12-15.

DeKalb trailed 22 to 14 after the 1st period, 43 to 35 at halftime, and 68 to 50 after the 3rd period before the final 93 to 75.

Robert Wheeler and Stetson Agee each scored 21, Conner Close 17, Elishah Ramos 12, and Zack Birmingham and Ean Jones each with 2.

February 17, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A dynamic duo!

If one pet can bring joy and happiness to your home just imagine what two can do!

Meet “Hippo” and “Buffalo” , the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pets of the Week”.

“Hippo and Buffalo are the two remaining babies of our Safari liter. They are brothers so we would love to get them adopted too. They are wild, playful, and a lot of fun. They don’t have to be adopted together. You can adopt them separately, but they do love each other and like to play together. They have already been fixed, microchipped, vaccinated, and are up to date on everything. Their adoption fee is only $40. These cats are full of life and energy, and they have great personalities. They would love to be in your lap, but they also love to play. Hippo and Buffalo are happy, fun cats to have around,” said Shelter Director Emmaly Bennett.

“If you are interested in adopting Hippo and or Buffalo, please check out the adoptable pet’s link on our website at https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/to fill out an application and see their pictures and we will call you to come in and meet them. Please give us a call so we can find Hippo and Buffalo a good home,” said Bennett.

The shelter is open Monday-Friday from 8 to 4 and Saturday from 8 to 12 at 186 Transfer Station Road. Phone 615-597-3647.

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