Panel urges changes to make US organ transplants more fair

According to an influential scientific advisory panel, "the U.S. transplant system needs an overhaul to stop wasting organs and give more patients a fair chance at the life-saving surgery. . ." 

Last year, the U.S. performed more than 41,000 transplants of kidneys, livers, and other organs, a record number—most of which came from donations from the dead. According to everythingLubbock, "[m]ore than 106,000 patients are on the nation's list for a transplant from a deceased donor and at least 17 die every day waiting." 

Due to the astounding numbers, the Panel has set a five-year deadline to turn things around. According to Dr. Kenneth Kizer, a well known expert in health care quality who chaired the panel, "A lot of things can be done to make the system work better for people." 

Among other things, the Panel concluded that the Department of Health and Human Services should set national performance goals "that include ranching at least 50,000 transplants each year by 2026, although a speedup is necessary to achieve national performance goals" and  "hospitals should reduce organ waste and be candid with patients about the option of a less-than-perfect offer. . ." 

See Lauren Neergaard, Panel urges changes to make US organ transplants more fair, EverythingLubbock, February 25, 2021.