Issues and advocacy
The U.S. surpassed 1 million transplants in 2022
The gifts of generous donors and their courageous families made several lifesaving transplant records possible.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.
Heart
The Heart Transplantation Committee continues to monitor this 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 statement supporting improvements to the national system (22 March 2023)
- Follow-up letter to the Department of Transportation regarding organ transport on commercial flights (17 March 2023)
- Setting the record straight on liver allocation policy (28 Feb. 2023)
- Actions to strengthen the U.S. organ donation and transplant system (30 Jan. 2023)
- UNOS leadership sends letter to HRSA Administrator seeking to advance plan for governance restructuring (10 Jan. 2023)
- UNOS leadership seeks meeting with U.S. Digital Service and formal review (4 Jan. 2023)
- UNOS leadership seeks better air transportation for lifesaving organs (8 Dec. 2022)
- UNOS CEO shares vision for pivotal moment in the organ donation and transplant community (5 Dec. 2022)
- UNOS Board of Directors statement on the national examination of the organ donation and transplant system (1 Sept. 2022)
- UNOS statement on Senate Finance Committee Hearing (4 Aug. 2022)
- UNOS CEO Brian Shepard’s testimony to the Senate Finance Committee (3 Aug. 2022)
- Letter to HRSA Administrator from UNOS Board President Dr. Jerry McCauley (2 Aug. 2022)
- UNOS Board of Directors statement on the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade (8 July 2022)
- The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and American Society of Nephrology (ASN) thank OPTN for eliminating use of race-based calculations of kidney function in transplant (23 June 2022)
- 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)
- UNOS statement regarding COVID-19 vaccine and transplantation (6 Oct. 2021)
News
VCA coming to UNet Sept 14, 2023
Allocation of all Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) organs that were originally scheduled to move into UNet in Spring 2023, will now implement on Sept. 14.
Dissecting the grief cycle: TMF 2023 presenter Nona Dawson-Land on coping with trauma in the workplace
TMF session to focus on understanding loss and grieving cycles in the transplant space.
OPTN data collection changes coming Sept. 14
On Sept. 14, multiple updates will be made to UNet to implement approved OPTN Policy changes that affect OPTN data collection.
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 Ambassador and we’ll provide tools, tips, and resources to help you share UNOS’ lifesaving mission in your community.