Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (H.R. 2544), introduced by Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) and Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02). The bill would expand the pool of entities who can contract with the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and modernize the system to protect and expedite the organ transplantation process.
The 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 and save lives.
“Seventeen Americans are dying every day waiting for an organ transplant. At the same time, thousands of organs are going to waste due to inefficient and ineffective procurement processes. The Security the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act will allow the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to make the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network more efficient and effective so more organs can become available nationwide. As a physician in Congress, my focus is on ensuring that HRSA has the authority that it needs to act on behalf of patients and ensure that the best innovators are able to compete, and play their part in saving lives,”said Dr. Bucshon.
“Approximately 6,000 Americans die each year while waiting for organ transplants,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “The Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act will reform the organ procurement process and save hundreds, even thousands of lives. I am proud to work across the aisle with my colleague Congressman Bucshon to ensure that all Americans get the care they need.”
