News

Update on the work to address NRP through the OPTN policy development process and to reiterate and refine the November 2025 safety notice.

Following emergency action by the OPTN Board of Directors, the Lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) used to prioritize potential transplant recipients in lung allocation was updated to reduce median travel distance for lungs with the goal of reducing logistical complexity in lung allocation and improving policy compliance.

The OPTN Board approved the slate of candidates who will appear on the ballot for the election of Secretary and Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs.

On April 3, 2026, the OPTN Board voted to appoint Steven Weitzen, JD, as a Board Director, filling the vacancy created by the passing of Peter Nicastro.

The OPTN Board of Directors announces the upcoming national election for the Board Officer positions of Secretary and Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs.

These town halls will provide updates on the current state of the OPTN, as well as ongoing modernization efforts to strengthen the system and improve patient outcomes.

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is notifying members that prior COVID-era guidance permitting the use of certain waitlist screening parameters to prevent organ offers is rescinded, effective immediately. 

A message from OPTN President John Magee acknowledging the challenges the OPTN Modernization effort is facing.

Effective March 25, 2026, the liver median MELD at transplant (MMaT) values have been updated for each donor hospital nationwide.

The OPTN Executive Committee approved the Membership and Professional Standards Committee’s (MPSC’s) recommendation to release Memorial Hermann Hospital, University of Texas at Houston (“Memorial Hermann”) from Member Not in Good Standing status.