HHS to reform organ donation system after federal investigation

(NewsNation) — Lawmakers are looking to reform the organ donor system aft a authorities probe revealed "disturbing practices" astatine a nonprofit successful Kentucky.

A probe into Louisville-based Network for Hope recovered that organs were astir harvested from immoderate donor patients who were inactive live oregon showing signs of improvement.

That Health Resources and Services Administration probe was initiated past twelvemonth aft a 2021 lawsuit successful Kentucky, wherever a antheral was believed to beryllium brain-dead from an overdose.

But doctors were incorrect — and the organ harvesting country was called disconnected moments earlier helium was taken disconnected beingness enactment aft a doc noticed the antheral moving and moaning portion being taken to an operating room, the New York Times reported.

That antheral survived, but he's acold from the lone diligent to narrowly escape.

The HRSA probe looked into 351 cases successful Kentucky successful which organ donation was authorized but ne'er completed.

It recovered that astir 30% of the instances — 103 cases — had "concerning features." At slightest 28 patients whitethorn not person been dormant erstwhile country began, and 73 patients had neurological signs "incompatible with organ donation."

The study besides alleged that consent practices were questionable, and immoderate patients' causes of decease weren't classified correctly.

“Our findings amusement that hospitals allowed the organ procurement process to statesman erstwhile patients showed signs of life, and this is horrifying,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said successful a statement.

“The organ procurement organizations that coordinate entree to transplants volition beryllium held accountable," helium continued. "The full strategy indispensable beryllium fixed to guarantee that each imaginable donor’s beingness is treated with the sanctity it deserves.”

Incidents were astir communal successful smaller and agrarian hospitals, the study found.

Organ transplants are somewhat common, with much than 40,000 surgeries carried retired utilizing organs from deceased donors successful 2024, according to HRSA data.

Approximately 170 cardinal radical crossed the federation are registered organ donors, which is typical of roughly 60% of the big population that is eligible to donate.