The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on May 24 unanimously passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) that would improve the nation’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).
The Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act, H.R. 2544, which Rep. Bucshon introduced on April 10 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), now heads to the full U.S. House for consideration.
“Seventeen Americans are dying every day waiting for an organ transplant. At the same time, thousands of organs are going to waste due to inefficient and ineffective procurement processes” Rep. Bucshon said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Kelly to get this vital piece of legislation signed into law.”
If enacted, H.R. 2544 would allow the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to run a competitive process to choose from the best contractors for different national OPTN functions, such as health IT and logistics, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bucshon’s staff.
“This bipartisan bill will allow the HRSA to make the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network more efficient and effective so more organs can become available nationwide,” said the congressman.
Rep. Kelly added that Americans should not have to endure unnecessary wait times and complications because of logistical failures in the OPTN.
“I am pleased that my bipartisan bill to address this critical issue with Rep. Bucshon is moving forward,” she said. “The Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act has the potential to save thousands of lives, and I look forward to its consideration before the House soon.”