Oh, UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) what are we doing now?
It seems that you are not very happy with Buckeye Transplants Services, which you claim is not complying with your demands about transplant data. (It seems Buckeye is using an automated tool that sucks data from the UNOS computers- to which it may not be not entitled. And, negotiations have been ongoing for some two months to resolve this issue.) So, come today, they planned to shut them out of the network. (In particular, Donor Net, the system for deceased kidney donors.)
Not that Buckeye is taking this action lying down. They sued UNOS in Richmond (where UNOS is officially based), seeking a federal injunction against the termination. They claim their actions are common practice among researchers and organ procurement organizations.
And, let us not forget that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced three months ago that they were considering breaking up the UNOS monopoly over transplants (in existence for some 37 years). HRSA finds the network inadequate, with too many folks (more than 100K) on waiting lists, 22 dying daily, and a slew of discarded organs. (Buckeye, which claims to be the largest organ screening company in the USA, plans to bid on part of this contract, should HRSA terminate UNOS.)
[NOTE: HRSA is NOT taking a stand on this case at all.]
And, just today, UNOS has notified Buckeye that they are being granted a two week extension to fix the complaint UNOS has lodged That means the next action will be 19 July.
Let’s see what happens.
Transplant recipients need those services!
Thanks for sharing! As a kidney recipient (I found a donor), I find this information both fascinating and frightening! I wish the energy was being focused on getting the number of transplants up and saving lives.
Me, too, Dominique!
I’m afraid to ask, but are these organizations not non-profit..?
And I agree, patients need these services, and they don’t care where the services come from, as long as they get the organ they require so urgently.
Last year, Switzerland has voted to boost the availability of transplant organs by making everyone a potential donor after death unless they have expressly objected. Our coordinating organization is a foundation commissioned by the Federal Office of Public Health.
Non-profit does not mean that the executives don’t “ear” significant coin…
I think the worst 6 words in your information here are, “A slew of discarded organs.”
That is such a shame, given the vast number of recipients that are waiting.
I donate platelets monthly and even donated bone marrow. My license is marked and shows I am an organ donor.
I hope this mess gets resolved soon!
Great pick up the points read, Paul. You are absolutely correct.
Since I know nothing about how these things usually work, I don’t know who is “right,” or more right than the other, I guess you could say. So it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out!
I hope the transplants continue…
Roy, I had no idea about these dynamics. Transplants are very popular: Mayo Clinic in Phoenix literally added 3 floors on top of Building 3, and moved their expanded transplant units there. Wow. It will be interesting to see how these issues move or blow up in the next 2 weeks.
Yes, they are- and they are critical for life!
Hi, it makes me mad that this kind of argument continues while people are dying.
This is an important issue that highlights what happens when corporations get too much power and dictate what happens.
That could be the problem, Janice. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
I’m not sure how things work, but one would think the companies would work together to get as many transplants as possible to save lives.
In a perfect world, Martha