HHS Moves to Decertify Network for Hope After 73 Organ Cases Showed Signs of Life
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 7
HHS Moves to Decertify Network for Hope After 73 Organ Cases Showed Signs of Life
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 7
Summary
CMS has started decertifying Network for Hope, the organ procurement group serving Kentucky and parts of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia, after federal reviews found patients were pushed toward organ recovery despite active signs of life.
A Health Resources and Services Administration review of 351 halted donation cases from 2021 to 2024 flagged 103 with concerning features, including 73 patients with neurological signs HHS said were incompatible with organ donation.
Federal investigators also cited inadequate neurological assessments, poor coordination with hospital teams, questionable consent practices and improper classification of causes of death; Dr. Marc Siegel said roughly 30% of reviewed procedures had serious problems.
Network for Hope said it will appeal and maintains it complies with procurement and transportation network policies, while HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he still strongly supports organ donation when it is done ethically.