In the midst of reports that organ donors may run the risk of having their body parts harvest while they are still alive and kicking, the Trump administration has launched a major reform of the American organ transplantation system.
The relocation, announced by health and human service secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., comes from a study by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the department that revealed “disturbing” practices by an important organization for organ purchasing.
“Our findings show that hospitals allowed the purchasing process of the organ to start when patients showed signs of life, and this is horrible,” Kennedy said in a statement.
“The organ purchase organizations that coordinate access to transplants are held responsible. The entire system must be determined to ensure that the lives of each potential donor are treated with the holiness it deserves.”
The administration has the organ purchase and transplant network – which connects professionals in the organ donation and transplantation throughout the country – a case that concerns a potentially avoidable damage to a neurologically injured patient by the organ -purchased organ buying organization in connection with Kentucky, Southwest Ohio. The department did not mention the organization.
The New York Times Recently reported that the federal investigation had started last fall after 36-year-old Kentuckian Anthony Thomas Hoover II's organs had been chased, even as he shook his head and pulled his knees to his chest. Hoover's sister, Donna Rohrer, had previously told NPR that she “felt betrayed by the fact that the people who told us he was brain dead and then he wakes up.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And the Ministry of Health and Human Services have announced a new initiative to reform the organ transplant system of the nation. The move comes after an investigation led to 'horrible' conclusions, he said (AFP via Getty images)
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And the Ministry of Health and Human Services have announced a new initiative to reform the organ transplant system of the nation. The move comes after an investigation led to 'horrible' conclusions, he said (AFP via Getty images)
Affiliates by Kentucky Organ Donor, the group linked to the case, is a new part of Network for Hope: a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing and newly formed organ purchase organization. Network for Hope has criticized The Times' Report on a page on her website and said that “the factual clarifications and critical context about organ and tissue donation missed.”
“We are fully committed to transparency and accountability for their regulations regarding donation after donation of the blood circulation …” said the group. “Our goal has always been and will remain to meet the highest ethical and medical standards in donation and transplantation.”
There were around 48,000 organ transplants in 2024, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Last year it said that there was more than 7,200 donation after donors in the circulation, which made 43 percent of all deceased donors. Donation after the death of blood circulation is defined as when the donor patient is still living support, almost dead and will not recover.
It said that neither his staff nor transplantation professionals are involved in determining death.
“Patient safety is our top priority. Network for Hope is looking forward to working together with HHS and HRSA and encourages the development of policy that the improvement of the organ transplantation system as a whole supports,” said CEO Barry Massa in a statement sent to an explanation The independent.
According to the Trump administration, the organ purchase and transplant network of the BIDEN administration has closed the membership and professional standards committee of the Transplantation Network the business without taking action.
“HRSA demanded a thorough, independent evaluation of the behavior of the organ purchase organization and the handling of vulnerable patients under its care. HRSA's independent investigation revealed clear negligence after the previous OPTN Council of the board claimed that there was no great concerns in their internal assessment,” the department wrote.
After investigating more than 350 cases, the organ donation was authorized but ultimately not completed, it turned out that 103 showed about characteristics, including 73 patients with neurological signs that are incompatible with organ donation.
TimeWith reference to interviews with health workers and an overview of internal files, audio recordings and SMS messages, there were 12 additional cases in nine states that were or were investigated in difficulties.
Donation After the death of blood circulation occurs when someone has a non-transferred brain injury, but because all brain function has not stopped, the family decides to withdraw livelihood support. Last year there were more than 7,200 of such donations and researchers work on new methods to pick up hearts from these patients. (AP)
Donation After the death of blood circulation occurs when someone has a non-transferred brain injury, but because all brain function has not stopped, the family decides to withdraw livelihood support. Last year there were more than 7,200 of such donations and researchers work on new methods to pick up hearts from these patients. (AP)
Moreover, the department said that at least 28 patients might not be completely dead when organ purchased was started. The research found evidence that points to bad neurological assessments, lack of coordination with medical teams, questionable consent methods and misclassification of causes of death, especially in cases with an overdose.
It also noted that vulnerabilities were highest in smaller and rural hospitals.
In response to the findings of the investigation, the administration has imposed corrective measures, as well as 'changes at system level'.
Data on any safety-related stop settings of organ donation that must be reported to supervisors by families, hospital or organ-purchasing organization staff and the organ purchase and transplant network must assume a formal procedure with which an employee can stop a donation process if the patient's concern occurs. The network must also update its policy.
Last September, the federal government increased supervision of the network after a hearing of a house committee, according to Time.
From 2022, 170 million Americans had registered according to the administration as organ donors. Not everyone who registers can donate and only three out of 1,000 people die in a way that makes deceased organ donation possible.
“These findings by HHS confirm what the Trump administration has long warned: deep -rooted bureaucracies, outdated systems and reckless contempt for human life do not have our most vulnerable citizens,” the department wrote.
With reporting from the Associated Press
