UNOS CEO Maureen McBride responds to July 20 New York Times article

July 21, 2025, Richmond, VA

In response to the July 20 New York Times article, “A Push for More Organ Transplants Is Putting Donors at Risk,” Dr. Maureen McBride, CEO of the United Network for Organ Sharing, provided the following statement:

“There is no greater priority for the United Network for Organ Sharing than a safe, effective and trustworthy organ donation and transplant system. The patient situations referenced in the New York Times’ article on July 20 are horrific. This falls far below the standard that the American organ donation and transplant system—the global gold standard—demands, and it cannot be tolerated. This sharply underscores the need for a more unified and accountable structure for overseeing the nation’s organ donation and transplant system.

“Currently, different aspects of the system are overseen by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This fragmented oversight has led to confusion and inconsistent accountability.

“UNOS, which has long served as a contractor to HRSA in support of the OPTN, welcomes efforts to consolidate oversight of the entire system, including the OPTN. We believe this shift will bring greater consistency and transparency to the regulation of all components of the donation and transplant process—benefiting patients, donor families and the entire community.

“In addition, UNOS recommends key improvements to strengthen the organ donation and transplant system, including the creation of a “no wrong door” patient-safety reporting system that allows anyone, including patients, providers or family members, to report safety concerns easily and effectively.

“UNOS does not create policy, regulate OPOs or hospitals, participate in clinical decisions or serve as a federal investigatory or law enforcement authority. The federal government remains ultimately accountable for oversight of the system.

“UNOS will continue to advocate for reforms to improve the system, and we look forward to sharing our proposed reforms with Congress this week and making meaningful progress in partnership with the federal government to strengthen the system.”

About UNOS

UNOS is a nonprofit on a mission to save and transform lives through research, innovation and collaboration. UNOS builds on its experience and expertise to strengthen organ donation and transplantation systems and enhance public health. The nonprofit helps people live life without limits by developing products and services, conducting data-driven research and analysis, providing expert consulting services, advocating for reforms to help patients, and partnering to drive a greater impact.

UNOS Statement

UNOS is a nonprofit organization with decades of experience in helping save lives through research, technology, innovation and education.

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