Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expanding his reform agenda to overhaul the U.S. organ donation system, citing disturbing cases where organs were reportedly removed from donors showing signs of life. Kennedy called the issue a “moral crisis” and urged systemic changes to protect patients and restore trust.
His remarks follow a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) investigation into Network for Hope, a Kentucky-based procurement organization. HHS found that nearly 30% of 351 reviewed cases showed safety concerns, including pressure on doctors to remove organs from patients who may have been regaining consciousness. A New York Times report detailed similar allegations last year.
HHS has implemented new safeguards, clarified donor criteria, and mandated the reporting of any halted procedures. These actions precede a Tuesday House oversight hearing on patient safety. Barry Massa, CEO of Network for Hope, denied allegations in written testimony but acknowledged the controversy led to over 1,000 Kentuckians leaving the state donor registry.
Advocates, including Jennifer Erickson of the Federation of American Scientists, argue HHS should go further by immediately replacing negligent contractors. The federal network, long operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing, is set for contract changes later this year, but its future remains unclear.
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