Congressional hearing exposes US organ transplant system failures

Editor's Note

Lost organs, widespread fraud, and live donors mistakenly presumed deceased are among the alarming issues with the US organ transplant system detailed in a recent Congressional hearing, MedPage Today reported September 11.

As part of the House Energy & Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, the hearing aimed to review the implementation of the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Act, MedPage reports. 

Witnesses testified about conflicts of interest and mismanagement within the OPTN, including ongoing patient deaths, cover-ups, and criticism of the OPTN board for being dominated by members of the United Network for Organ Sharing, the organization responsible for managing the procurement system.

The full report details specific cases, relevant statistics, and dismayed reaction from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.