Issues and advocacy
About UNOS and the OPTN
Organ allocation data & reports
Positions and fact sheets
Become an advocate
United Network for Organ Sharing is the mission-driven, non-profit organization that serves as the nation’s organ donation and transplant system—the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)—under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
UNOS carries out this lifesaving work by …
- Including all members of the donation and transplant community, including patients, donors and donor families, as valued equals in the organ allocation policy development process.
- Ensuring equitable access to organ transplants, no matter who you are or where you live.
- Demonstrating our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
- Advocating at the federal level for innovative policies and regulations that support growth.
- Honoring the gift of life in all that we do.
About the U.S. system
- See visual timeline of the transplant journey.
- Who does what: The national organ transplant system
About UNOS
United Network for Organ Sharing is the mission-driven, non-profit organization that serves as the nation’s organ donation and transplant system—the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)—under contract with and oversight by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
FAQs about UNOS’ role
What is the OPTN?
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is the name of the transplant system in the United States. The OPTN brings together volunteer donation and transplant professionals, patients, donors and donor families to develop the nation’s organ allocation policies. The OPTN acts through its Board of Directors.
Visit OPTN website
National and state data
Organ allocation monitoring reports
Kidney and pancreas
Read more about kidney and pancreas policy.
Liver and intestine
Read more about liver and intestine policy.
UNOS positions and fact sheets
UNOS positions on regulations
- UNOS and OPTN response to CMS health and safety request for information (1 Feb. 2022)
- UNOS, AST and ASTS notice to FDA on organ preservation solution shortage (16 Dec. 2021)
- UNOS comments on CMS-1752-P FY22 IPPS rule for acute care hospitals (27 June 2021)
- OPTN response to Transplant Procedures with Live Donors and Related Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs (21 May 2021)
- UNOS, AST and ASTS joint response to CMS Medicare and Medicaid Programs; OPO conditions for participation (4 March 2021)
- OPTN response to CMS-3380 Medicare and Medicaid Programs; OPO conditions for participation (1 March 2021)
- OPTN response to CMS 3380 Medicare and Medicaid Programs; OPO conditions for participation (20 Feb. 2020)
UNOS positions on legislation
Fact sheets and statements
- UNOS letter to Chairman Krishnamoorthi on House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee’s OPO investigation report (28 April 2022)
- OPTN letter to National Academies’ Committee on Organ Donation and Transplant System (27 April 2022)
- Liver transplants up 5% in 18 month report (20 Dec. 2021)
- U.S. surpasses 40,000 transplants in a year milestone (20 Dec. 2021)
- Kidney transplants up 22% (1 Nov. 2021)
News
June 14 webinar addresses median MELD at transplant based on donor hospital
Members of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network's Liver and Intestinal Organ Transplantation Committee will lead a webinar on an upcoming policy change to align median MELD at transplant (MMaT) scores around the donor hospital and update sorting within...
Annual kidney allocation calculator updates to KDPI and EPTS reference populations
Reference populations have been updated for the KDPI and EPTS calculators.
5 things to know: Volunteering for the board or a committee
Call for nominations opens June 1
Get involved
Contact advocacy team
Become an advocate
Become an advocate today! Receive updates from UNOS and take direct action when issues arise impacting patients, donors, donor families, and the national system.
Be an ambassador
Spread the word about UNOS, organ donation and transplantation. Become a UNOS Ambassadors and we’ll provide tools, tips, and resources to help you share UNOS’ lifesaving mission in your community.