June, 2014
Last week, the OPTN/UNOS released a concept document and questionnaire to seek input on issues being studied by their Liver and Intestinal Organ Transplantation Committee, including potential liver allocation redistricting as an alternative to current distribution areas. The questionnaire is meant to identify topics for further study and discussion at a public forum, which is likely to occur in September.
The concept document and questionnaire links are provided below. AST members are encouraged to individually evaluate the document and submit comments directly to UNOS. The deadline to...
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The American Society of Transplantation and president, Dr. Daniel Salomon, were featured in the USA Today supplement entitled: Transplants: The Gift of Life. This 12-page supplement hit newsstands on Friday, June 13, 2014 in key cities throughout the US. It was estimated to reach more than five million readers.
Dr. Salomon wrote the forward for the supplement which discusses continuing challenges in transplantation and the importance of transplant research to address those challenges. The article encourages support of research that will help to advance the field and improve patient care.
To...
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May, 2014
The AST has been working closely with the office of Congressman Jim Renacci (R-OH) to garner support for his legislation (HR 4188) that seeks to exempt organ transplantation, ESRD, and other targeted conditions from classification as an admission for purposes of penalties under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). AST believes this legislative proposal is an essential and necessary step for protecting certain patient populations that would otherwise be compromised under the current law policy for hospital readmissions. The Society is working to garner cosponsors, support from Leadership in the...
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March, 2014
Stephen Harms has been selected as Chief Operating Officer of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). As COO, Mr. Harms will oversee key projects that promote UNOS' strategic plan. He'll report to the Chief Executive Officer and assist in developing, planning, and implementing strategic objectives to drive successful growth.
Mr. Harms served nearly 30 years in legislative and executive capacities for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He served in cabinet-level positions for Virginia Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, in roles including Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Secretary of Finance...
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Embargoed for Release: Thursday, March 13, 2014
CONTACT: Robert Bock, 301-496-5134
e-mail:
bockr@mail.nih.gov
Kerri Childress, 301-496-5133
e-mail:
Kerri.Childress@nih.gov
NIH OPENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL TO OUTSIDE SCIENTISTS
New program tackles disease on many fronts
Ten projects...
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The Transplant Roundtable, a coalition of organ transplant patients, health professionals, and related organizations dedicated to preserving transplant patients' access to optimal care, recently provided comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Program; Contract Year 2015 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs (the "Proposed Rule"). The Proposed Rule would enable Part D sponsors to impose formulary restrictions on immunosuppressive drugs, resulting in substantial risk of organ rejection,...
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Earlier today, the Obama Administration informed top congressional leaders that it will not finalize any of the changes it had proposed to the Six Protected Classes Policy in the Jan. 10 regulation... including the proposed removal of transplant immuno drugs from the protected class category. They note the considerable pushback received on this and some other aspects of the rule during the comment period. It was also pointed out, that the issues may be revisited in future years.
As you know, AST submitted official comments opposing the rule to CMS. The AST was mentioned by name at the recent...
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