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Anonymous ID: 082335 Sept. 19, 2020, 2:21 p.m. No.10712219   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>2236

>>10711769

https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/finance-committee-members-probe-us-organ-transplant-system

 

“Recent reports of lapses in patient safety, misuse of taxpayer dollars, and tens of thousands of organs going unrecovered or not transplanted lead us to question the adequacy of UNOS’ oversight of these [organ procurement organizations]. According to CMS, 20 Americans die each day because an organ transplant remains out of reach,” the senators wrote.

 

“Media reports and OIG audits point to a serious lack of accountability, transparency, and objective donor standards that have allowed underperforming [organizations] to continue operating.”

Anonymous ID: 082335 Sept. 19, 2020, 2:24 p.m. No.10712248   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>2309

>>10712236

Yes it is.

I believe this is the tweet referred to:

https://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley/status/1307398777611976706

 

Yesterday CMS boosted incentives for home dialysis & transplantation. HHS also finalized a rule 2 cover more expenses incurred by organ donors. I applaud HHS efforts 2 boost access to care/quality of life & make organ donation more accessible Next CMS shld hold OPOs accountable

Anonymous ID: 082335 Sept. 19, 2020, 2:29 p.m. No.10712306   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>2359

>>10712236

From this letter:

https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2020-02-10%20Grassley,%20Wyden,%20Young,%20Cardin%20to%20UNOS%20(Information%20Request%20on%20Organ%20Transplant%20System).pdf

 

The HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Federal Bureau of Investigation, and

others have identified inappropriate use of Medicare funds by OPOs, along with other illegal

financial arrangements. According to the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), one OPO

reported unallowable and unsupported expenditures on activities such as entertainment, meals,

lobbying, and donations and gifts, resulting in $500,000 in overpayments from the Medicare

program, 16 and another OPO for $300,000 in overpayments from the Medicare program. 17 Federal

investigators uncovered an illegal kickback scheme between another OPO and a local funeral

home. 18 Prior to blowing the whistle on his employer's illegal activities, an employee at this OPO

endured physical abuse 19 and received death threats from his employer, court documentsindicate. 20 Both of these organizations are still certified as qualified OPOs for the purposes of

Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

Media reports and OIG audits point to a serious lack of accountability,21 transparency,22

and objective donor standards23 that have allowed underperforming OPOs to continue operating.24

More can-and must-be done to ensure that OPO performance improves. Because OPOs operate

as regional monopolies, rigorous oversight is critical to ensure that all 58 OPOs are faithfully

executing their mission of organ recovery. 25 And because the OPTN is tasked with monitoring all

58 OPOs,26 we seek to better understand how UNOS either missed these issues or neglected to

remediate them. 27