About TRIOMission StatementTransplant Recipients International Organization Supports Implementation of Transplant Regulation In Congressional Budget DealContact: TRIO, Inc. Washington, D.C., November 15, 1999 - Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc. (TRIO) applauds Congressional leaders and the Department of Health and Human Services for reaching a compromise to enact the Final Rule governing the nation's transplant system. TRIO has publicly supported the regulations since they were first issued in April 1998. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala and Members of Congress have recognized the urgency of these regulations, which have been stalled twice before, and wisely have acted to allow their implementation within 42 days of President Clinton signing the remaining appropriations bills, which is expected this week. Bruce Weir, TRIO President and heart transplant recipient, praised the effort of all to bring the Final Rule into place. "Given the hard work by members of Congress and Secretary Shalala to reach a compromise with these transplant regulations, we are thankful that their implementation will soon go forward. The urgency of this implementation directly affects thousands of patients who don't have the luxury of further discussion, debate or delay. And I emphasize that any further delay is unacceptable." Last year at this time Congress delayed for one year the implementation of the regulations so that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) could review them. The Institute concurred that the broader organ sharing would greatly benefit transplant patients and that greater oversight would guarantee accountability. The Department sought comments from the transplant community, and, armed with the Institute's Report, revised the Final Rule to reflected greater consensus. TRIO has been a long supporter of the regulations. We believe a law that serves patients must recognize that transplant organs are a precious life-saving resource which must be shared without respect to state or other boundaries best serve patients. Most donor families have made the gift of life believing that the organs of their loved ones will benefit those patients with the greatest medical need--without consideration of race, age, religion or geographic region. The experts have examined the Final Rule and the revisions have been made. Another delay will only hurt the 70,000 people waiting. The new regulations will create a system that will have standards for all people regardless of where they live. No one transplant center owns these organs. There should be an allocation system driven by the patient need for the benefit of all patients. Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc., founded in 1983, is an independent, not- for-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, their families and the families of organ and tissue donors. With more than 4,000 members and nearly 50 chapters internationally, TRIO works to increase awareness about the need to donate organs and tissues, support and educate transplant candidates, recipients, donors and their families, as well as to advocate on their behalf. Return to top |
|
| © Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc. | |
