HHS plans organ donation reforms after alarming investigation

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to reform the nation’s organ donation system after a federal investigation uncovered alarming issues. The investigation found that a Kentucky-based organization began organ recovery from individuals who may not have been dead, and that dozens of other cases involved incomplete donations. HHS officials said the reforms will aim to strengthen oversight, improve accountability, and restore public trust in the system.

Source

Wu, W., Messana, J.M., Hartman, N. et al. Assessing health care disparities in US organ procurement organizations. Sci Rep 15, 17399 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01808-3

Additional Reading

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/health/hhs-organ-donation-reforms

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-decertify-organ-procurement-organization-donation/

https://www.statnews.com/2025/07/22/house-oversight-organ-transplant-donation-system-hrsa-report/