Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.-08) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02) introduced the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act.

 

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has held a monopoly over the contract to manage organ distribution since 1984. Recent reports have raised concerns about how this monopoly affects the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

 

This legislation would allow for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to run a competitive process to choose from the best contractors for different national OPTN functions (e.g., health IT, logistics). A better performing national OPTN will better serve patients across the country.

“Every year, thousands of potentially lifesaving organs go to waste, even as Americans die waiting for transplants. We can and must work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organ transplantation process. I am proud to partner with Rep. Kelly to introduce the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act, to help make more organs available to Hoosiers and all Americans,” said Dr. Bucshon.

 

“I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Bucshon,” said Rep. Kelly. “The Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act will make the U.S. organ transplant network more effective and efficient. As our country continues to move forward at a rapid pace, with new technologies becoming available every day, we owe it to our constituents to bring our medical practices into the 21^st century and save lives.”