US EditionUS begins organ-transplant reform as 'signs of life' found before some retrievals
UNITED STATES, JUL 21 – Investigation found 29% of cases showed concerning signs including premature organ procurement, prompting HHS to mandate system-wide reforms and stricter oversight of organ procurement organizations.
- On Monday, July 21, 2025, in Washington, DC, HHS unveiled a reform initiative after a federal investigation revealed disturbing practices in the organ transplant system, including unsafe procurement attempts.
- HRSA's investigation reviewed 351 cases, finding 103 with neurological signs incompatible with donation, raising ethical and safety concerns.
- Several families told The New York Times surgeons attempted organ removal while donors were still alive, with at least 28 patients potentially alive when procurement began.
- The agency ordered organ procurement organizations to implement system-level changes, including staff halting donations if safety concerns arise, with decertification threatened by Secretary Kennedy.
- A House subcommittee will hold a Tuesday hearing to assess reforms, as OPTN updates policies under HRSA's directive to improve safety and transparency.
100 Articles
100 Articles
Polk Co. teen in need of kidney donation as nonprofit tries to help
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An organization raising awareness and support for pediatric kidney donations is working to help a Polk County teenager at Tampa General Hospital. Kidney for Kids is traveling across the country to help find an adult donor for 15-year-old Zarmya Russell. She has been on dialysis for the past six years after a kidney transplant failed. Riverview couple flooded with soap shipments after ending Amazon business "She's gone …
Hospitals Allowed Organ Procurement Process To Begin "When Patients Showed Signs Of Life," RFK Jr. Says * 100PercentFedUp.com * by Danielle
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said hospitals “allowed the organ procurement process to begin when patients showed signs of life.” The announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) follows “an investigation by its Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that revealed disturbing practices by a major organ procurement organization.” “Under @SecKennedy’s leadership, HHS is restoring i…
Lawmakers call for overhaul of organ transplant system
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for a sweeping overhaul of the United States’ organ transplant system after a federal investigation uncovered what they describe as “horrifying” failures in patient safety and oversight. Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) are among those demanding reforms, pointing to widespread mismanagement in the country’s Organ Procurement and Transplant…
After explosive federal report, Congress fears plummeting trust in organ donation
WASHINGTON — Members of a congressional oversight committee said Tuesday that they fear public trust in organ donation has been fractured after a federal report found that an organ procurement organization ignored signs of life in patients when authorizing attempted organ removals. The hearing followed a federal investigation by the Health Resources and Services Administration that found that a group responsible for overseeing the removal of org…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
