U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas joins with other senators seeking answers about recent changes to the national liver distribution policy implemented by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.  The Manhattan Republican joins with a bipartisan group of 21 Senators over concerns that areas in rural and low-income areas may have reduced access to locally donated livers which could lengthen wait times for those whose lives depend on receiving a transplant. The senators note that, by failing to account for regional variations in liver donation rates and disparities in the performance of organ procurement organizations, the OPTN’s policy change appears to reward locations that underutilize existing organ resources and have historically had troubled OPOs. 

 

Moran is especially concerned about the impact the changes could have on Kansas City-area hospitals that offer liver transplants.  Senator Pat Roberts was also among those signing the letter.  

 

 

The full text of the letter can be found here.