- A powerful group that controls kidney transplants in America intends to implement a controversial “waitlist” policy that would force patients with severe medical conditions to only be given life-saving treatment if the patient is deemed an “equitable” choice, according to The Federalist. However, it’s not entirely clear how this new policy will actually be implemented.
- United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit organization that is contracted by the federal government. Its purpose is to manage transplant waitlists for patients receiving medical treatment.
- UNOS has requested that transplant lists be changed in favor of a system that promotes “improvements in equity” instead of focusing on “hard boundaries” and questions of patient health
- Commissioned research shows that the policy change won’t impact transplants by race or ethnicity. The organization has not explained precisely what, therefore, it means by "equitable."
- After public backlash, a representative for UNOS, Anne Pashcke, specified that no one has been impacted by these new organ donor policies "yet."
Why It Matters:
- Although UNOS has not yet confirmed how they will implement a new "equitable" organ donation waitlist, the possible politicization of such a hot-button issue could lead to more harm than good if not taken very seriously.
- This is the latest reminder of what “equity” truly means in practice.
