Our nation’s organ donation and transplant system was built from the ground up by the United Network for Organ Sharing. Each year, a record number of Americans awaiting transplant receive the gift of life, thanks to the success and integrity of the system created by UNOS more than 40 years ago.
Today’s hearing before the House Ways & Means subcommittee focused on Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and CMS oversight. It’s clear that effective regulation, oversight and aligned incentives are critical to ensure the system is fair, effective and safe. That’s why UNOS supports consolidating oversight of all facets of the organ donation and transplant system under a single agency within the Department of Health and Human Services.
At today’s hearing, some individuals continued to malign and defame UNOS, accusing our organization of unlawful behavior and retaliation. But they have never produced evidence of retaliation, because such evidence simply does not exist.
The system isn’t perfect. Reforms, such as “no wrong door,” that UNOS is leading and endorsing will bolster trust in the system through improvements that are meaningful and measurable to patients and donor families, including an increase in transplants, a reduction in the number of individuals who die while waiting for a transplant, and a decrease in organ non-use.
The nation’s organ donation and transplant system is founded on trust. To continue to earn and strengthen that trust, all stakeholders, Congress and the federal government must work collaboratively to improve the system for the benefit of patients and donor families, who deserve a fair, effective and safe organ donation and transplant system. UNOS will continue to be a partner in those efforts.
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.
