Skip to main

OPTN Modernization Updates

AST leadership meets with HHS HRSA Associate Administrator Dr. Suma Nair and her team regularly for ongoing dialogue with agency leaders as the OPTN Modernization and Reform initiative process continues to evolve. The AST will update members on this process through the newsletter and the AST website.

OPTN Modernization Updates 

September 2024 - HRSA Makes Multi-Vendor Modernization Awards to Support the Nation’s Organ Transplant System

August 2024 - On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced the selection of the American Institutes for Research (AIR) as the OPTN Board Support contractor

July 2024 - AST President Jon Kobashigawa, MD, sent a communication to the membership about the -Society's approach and involvement.

June 2024  On June 28, AST leaders met again with HRSA Associate Administrator Dr. Suma Nair
and her team at the agency. At that time, the Society requested and pressed responses from
HRSA to the following questions: 

  • Can you describe the newly proposed OPTN structure and how will that structure differ
    from the current structure? Is the vision for the OPTN different from the membership
    model?
  •  How will the OPTN Board be selected? Will OPTN members have input to the Board
    selection and composition? Will there to be societal representation on the OPTN
    Board?
  • It is the understanding that HRSA will provide oversight of the contractors. Will HRSA
    have transplant professionals within HRSA serving as consultants when advising HRSA
    on contractor performance within the OPTN? If so, then how will the transplant
    professionals within HRSA be selected?
  • How much influence will the support contractor have over the OPTN Board? How will OPTN
    Board promote new policies? Does this need approval by the Contractor or HRSA?

June 2024 - The AST recently met with OPTN leadership and is meeting with the HRSA
Associate Administrator and Division on Transplantation (DoT) at ATC in
Philadelphia. Society leaders will also meet with various targeted HHS officials during
the upcoming annual meeting.

On May 3, 2024, after soliciting and reviewing public feedback following
the release of draft requests for proposals in February, 2024, HRSA issued final
requests for proposals to support multiple contract awards. As stated by the Agency,
“this is a key step in the OPTN Modernization Initiative to improve transparency,
performance, governance, and efficiency of the US transplant system to benefit patients
and their families. This action will increase competition ensuring patients and their
families benefit from best-in-class vendors.”

AST OPTN Modernization Initiative Communications:

October 2024 - The AST submitted comments to the Government Accountability Office to support the agency’s evaluation of the OPTN Modernization Initiative 

October 2024 - AST responds to OPTN Modernization efforts and House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight Hearing

 

Give Back

Make a difference in the field of transplantation by donating to support our cause.

Give

Sign up for AST eNews

This resource for transplant professionals shares AST news events and top articles in transplantation.

Advertisements

This content was developed independently by AST and supported by a financial contribution from Sanofi