The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) applauds the recent unified actions of the U.S. government and federal agencies with transplantation oversight  within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in their dedicated efforts to support and advance the U.S. organ transplant system.
The decertification of a poorly performing organ procurement organization (OPO) is a powerful decision that will strengthen the organ transplant system going forward. ASTS is committed to partnering with federal agencies to strengthen the organ transplant network and foster public trust to support an increase in life-saving transplants. We are heartened by HRSA’s continued commitment to supporting living organ donors through funding the Living Organ Donor Reimbursement Program. Further, ASTS is eager to have the opportunity to share physician members’ expertise and insights on patient care with HHS, CMS, and HRSA to continue exploring pathways to increase accountability, fairness, and performance in the organ transplant system, ensuring fair allocation of donor organs and positive patient outcomes.
Collectively, these steps will further strengthen public trust in the U.S. organ transplantation system and keep it the best in the world.