Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act
Sep 22, 2023
Sep 22, 2023
Summary
Allows the government to use multiple grants and contracts to run the organ transplant network, aiming to improve its performance and save more lives.
What problem does this solve?
The national organ transplant system was run by a single company for a long time, which may have limited new ideas and better ways of doing things. This law lets different groups compete for jobs to run the system, which could lead to better results for patients.
What does this law do?
Allows more flexible ways to run the network
Gives the Secretary of Health the power to use grants, contracts, or other agreements to manage the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, instead of just one contract.
Separates network operations from board support
Requires that the groups running the organ network are different from the groups that support its board of directors. This helps avoid conflicts of interest.
Requires a financial review
Orders the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study how the organ network has been paid for in the past, including how registration fees were used.
Who does this affect?
- Patients awaiting organ transplants
- Organ procurement organizations
- Transplant hospitals
What is the real world impact?
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Improves the organ transplant system
Aims to make the system for getting organs to people who need them work better. By allowing more companies to help run it, the government hopes to see new ideas and better performance.
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Increases competition and oversight
Ends the practice of giving the job to just one company. This change brings in competition, which can lead to better service, and adds a review by the GAO to make sure money is being used well.
When does this start?
This law takes effect immediately, with specific deadlines for reports and reviews.
GAO review and report
The Government Accountability Office must complete its review of the network's finances and submit a report no later than 2 years after the law is enacted.
Biennial report to Congress
A recurring report to Congress is now due 2 years after this law's enactment and every two years after that.