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Last year, @HHSGov found that more than half of the federal contractors responsible for transporting lifesaving organs were failing baseline performance measures, resulting in *thousands* of potential donations falling through the cracks and countless lives lost. (1/5)
Last October, I reached out to @HHSGov and @CMSGov about the lack of oversight and reporting requirements for these contractors, known as Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs). Several weeks later, @CMSGov issued a proposed rule to hold OPOs accountable. (2/5)
But these contractors tried to fight back. They claimed @HHSGov should delay making changes until after the pandemic. This made no sense to @RepKarenBass and me, especially given the risks COVID poses to many patients in organ failure. (3/5) https://www.pogo.org/investigation/2020/10/heartless-organ-donation-contractors-lobby-against-a-popular-health-care-initiative-while-pocketing-pandemic-relief-loans/
So @RepKarenBass and I followed up on behalf of the more than 110,000 Americans currently on the waitlist for a lifesaving transplant. In July, we wrote to @SecAzar and @SeemaCMS directly about the urgent need to crack down on OPOs. (4/5) https://twitter.com/RepKatiePorter/status/1281679848398675970
I’m humbled and proud to share that on Friday, @CMSGov finalized the reforms I have been fighting for over the last year.
Read more about the changes that will save thousands of lives
. (5/5)
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/organ-procurement-organization-opo-conditions-coverage-final-rule-revisions-outcome-measures-opos
Read more about the changes that will save thousands of lives
. (5/5)https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/organ-procurement-organization-opo-conditions-coverage-final-rule-revisions-outcome-measures-opos
