On September 22, 2023, President Biden signed into law the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act. This law is a significant step forward in efforts to improve the organ donation and transplantation system in the United States.

The new law will:

• Increase competition for the contract to operate the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), which is the organization that oversees organ matching and placement in the United States.
• Strengthen data collection and reporting requirements for the OPTN.
• Make it easier for patients to access information about their wait times and organ transplant options.
• Support innovation and research in organ donation and transplantation.

The Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act is a bipartisan effort that was supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including patient advocates, transplant surgeons, and organ procurement organizations.

What does this mean for patients?

The new law is expected to have a number of positive benefits for patients, including:

• Reduced wait times for organ transplants.
• Increased access to organ transplants for patients of all ages and backgrounds.
• Improved quality of care and outcomes for transplant patients.

The law is also expected to help reduce the number of people who die each year while waiting for an organ transplant.

BREAKING: The Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act was just signed into law! @CEOatNKF explains how this historic bill will improve accountability and save lives. #MyKidneyVoice pic.twitter.com/y0VbuZydKb

— NKF Advocacy (@NKF_Advocacy) September 22, 2023

Source: National Kidney Foundation