Thread by @RepKatiePorter

Last year, @HHSGov found that more than half of the federal contractors responsible for transporting lifesaving organs were failing baseline performance measures, resulting in *thousands* of potential donations falling through the cracks and countless lives lost. (1/5)

Last October, I reached out to @HHSGov and @CMSGov about the lack of oversight and reporting requirements for these contractors, known as Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs). Several weeks later, @CMSGov issued a proposed rule to hold OPOs accountable. (2/5)

But these contractors tried to fight back. They claimed @HHSGov should delay making changes until after the pandemic. This made no sense to @RepKarenBass and me, especially given the risks COVID poses to many patients in organ failure. (3/5)

pogo.org/investigation/…

So @RepKarenBass and I followed up on behalf of the more than 110,000 Americans currently on the waitlist for a lifesaving transplant. In July, we wrote to @SecAzar and @SeemaCMS directly about the urgent need to crack down on OPOs. (4/5)

https://twitter.com/RepKatiePorter/status/1281679848398675970

I’m humbled and proud to share that on Friday, @CMSGov finalized the reforms I have been fighting for over the last year.

Read more about the changes that will save thousands of lives ⬇️. (5/5)

cms.gov/newsroom/fact-…