Blockbuster Senate Hearing Focuses on Need for Transplant System Reform

On Wednesday, August 3, 2022, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing, “A System in Need of Repair: Addressing Organizational Failures of the U.S.’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network,”  during which Committee Chairman Ron Wyden D-OR) and other committee members examined the shortcomings of our organ donation and transplant system. 

The National Kidney Foundation is deeply concerned about the challenges highlighted during the hearing.  At NKF, we know time is of the essence when someone is waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and support policy changes that will minimize organ discards. Better IT infrastructure can address inefficiencies and improve the performance of OPOs and transplant centers.  And better oversight and transparency will address racial and ethnic inequities in transplant access, organ procurement, and patient experience. 

As a leading advocate on behalf of the nearly 100,000 patients in need of a kidney transplant, the National Kidney Foundation is calling on all stakeholders – the government, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), organ procurement organization (OPO), transplant centers, transplant surgeons, nephrologists, and patients alike – to work together to improve this system to make sure every patient who needs a transplant can get one.

We sincerely hope the Senate Finance Committee hearing will advance these policies and ensure that organ failure patients have access to a high-functioning, equitable, and patient-centered transplant system. To learn more about NKF’s position, please read our press statement here.