The Government's Plan To Fix A Broken Organ Transplant System

Last week, the government announced plans to completely overhaul the organ transplant system in America. This includes breaking up The United Network for Sharing Organs (UNOS)'s multi-decade monopoly.For those who need an organ transplant, the process is far from easy. On average, 17 people die each day awaiting transplants. More than 100,000 people are currently on the transplant waiting list according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. UNOS has been criticized for exacerbating the organ shortage. An investigation by the Senate Finance Committee released last year found that the organization lost, discarded, and failed to collect thousands of life-saving organs each year.We discuss the government's plan for overhaul and what it means for those whose lives are on the line.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy