Urge your Member of Congress to Cosponsor and Pass the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (SUS OPTN, H.R. 2544 / S. 1668)
Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of the more than 37 million Americans living with kidney diseases.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Health Resources and Services Agency (HRSA) have announced new efforts to modernize the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), the government organization supporting the U.S. transplant system. The current structure of the OPTN is over 40 years old and opportunities to modernize the transplant system have been limited despite an increasing need for improved service. For example, while there are currently more than 90,000 people--including 1,000 children--on the kidney transplant waitlist, yet as many as 1 in 4 viable donated kidneys are discarded.
The SUS OPTN Act (H.R. 2544 / S. 1668) enables government efforts to modernize the U.S. transplant system. The legislation increases competition and accountability in the U.S. transplant system by allowing HRSA to conduct a competitive process to select first-in-class providers for each of the distinct OPTN functions, including managing the IT system that supports the transplant system, policymaking, and oversight. Further, the legislation mandates that the OPTN board is separate from the boards of government contractors that OPTN manages. These changes will ensure people seeking a transplant are served by the best possible providers, removing barriers to vital transplant care.
As a kidney health professional, your members of Congress need to hear from you about why modernizing the U.S. transplant system is critical to achieve kidney health for the 37 million Americans living with kidney diseases.
Urge your members of Congress to take action to:
- Cosponsor and Pass the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act H.R. 2544 / S. 1668
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