Washington – Senate Finance Committee leaders Sens. Chuck
Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) yesterday issued a subpoena to the
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), compelling production of documents
related to the committee’s investigation of organ procurement organizations (OPOs),
and potential false claims submitted to government benefit programs. The
Committee determined that issuing a subpoena was necessary in order to receive
full and complete production from UNOS.
Senators
Grassley and Wyden issued the following joint statement:
“We
have serious concerns related to UNOS’ role in overseeing our nation’s OPOs, which
have been severely underperforming for decades. Our review has shed light
on the improper use of Medicare funds, conflicts of interest and gaps in
oversight. UNOS has served as the federal government’s contractor, without
competition, since 1986, and is responsible for overseeing the Organ
Procurement and Transplantation Network established by Congress. UNOS has
indicated they will comply with the subpoena and we look forward to continuing
our inquiry.”
Senate
Finance Committee members
began
inquiries into organ procurement organizations and UNOS, nearly a year ago.
Reports
have also detailed various gaps and conflicts in UNOS management of the organ
donation system, resulting in a failure to properly ensure an effective system
operating on behalf of patients across the country.
In
November 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a
Final
Rule to impose new transparency guidelines on OPOs.
Racial
equity experts have lauded these OPO reforms, highlighting that OPOs often
provide substandard care to patients of color. And given expert projections
that
COVID-19
may severely increase the demand for kidney transplants in the coming years, it
is more important than ever to ensure the OPO system is functioning effectively
and in patients’ interests.
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