UNOS Chosen To Operate Nation's Organ Transplant System

Contact: Tina Urbanski of the Campaign for Transplant Patient Fairness

202-484-2776

WASHINGTON -- The following is a statement by the Campaign for Transplant Patient Fairness:

The Campaign for Transplant Patient Fairness has deliberately remained impartial while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) carefully considered which organization will operate the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) over the next few years -- the first time since the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 that there has been more than one bid for the contract. Today, HHS announced the contract will again be awarded to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

With UNOS continuing its role as the entity operating the OPTN, we hope that it will begin to implement changes that will comply with the OPTN regulations finalized by HHS earlier this year. The Campaign is concerned that UNOS has made no appreciable progress toward meeting the objectives of the regulation, and the Campaign will continue to work with UNOS and HHS to address the concerns of our member institutions and patient groups.

The Campaign remains committed to ensuring that the OPTN works to the benefit of all transplant patients. To that end, it is our hope that HHS and UNOS will work together to quickly implement the regulations, especially those that will ensure that all patients needing organ transplants receive fair and equal treatment.

The Campaign for Transplant Fairness is a voluntary alliance of the nation's leading patient advocacy groups, transplant hospitals, and organ procurement organizations dedicated to enhancing congressional support for a more equitable organ allocation system and a nationwide effort to stimulate increased organ donation. The Campaign seeks to save more lives and represents a unified voice seeking positive change on behalf of patients. The Campaign also works to guide the transplant community toward reasonable resolution of contentious issues.

Copyright © 2000 U.S. Newswire.

This article posted October 8, 2000.