Press Releases

Congressional Kidney Caucus Co-Chairs, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Larry Bucshon (IN-08), released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule that will increase the number of organ transplants performed each year by holding Organ Procurement Organizations to a higher standard.

“As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Kidney Caucus, we welcome HHS finalizing changes to organ transplant accountability rules. These necessary changes will force Organ Procurement Organizations to improve their performance and deliver more organs to Americans in need.  Today, 91,949 patients are waiting for a kidney transplant but only 32,579 transplants have been performed this year. Actions like the one announced today give those waiting for transplants renewed hope.”

The announcement follows a letter sent in August in which DelBene, Bucshon, and other members urged the administration to finalize the organ accountability rule.

The final rule can be found here.