Organ Transplant System Sees Reforms and New Safeguards

The U.S. organ transplant system is undergoing reforms as federal agencies introduce new monitoring tools and develop additional safeguards. These changes follow recent reports and updated data on transplant allocation and outcomes.

As of May 2025, the national waiting list for organ transplants included more than 100,000 individuals, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), established in 1984, manages this list and oversees allocation procedures, with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) operating the network under the Department of Health and Human Services since 1986.

In August 2025, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) introduced a public dashboard to track instances where organ allocation did not follow the standard match order, known as “allocation out of sequence.” This tool was designed to provide greater transparency regarding deviations from established allocation protocols.

Recent federal data indicate that the rate of patients being skipped for transplants has dropped by more than half in recent months. This reduction follows increased oversight and the implementation of new monitoring measures.

What the numbers show

• In 2024, there were 41,119 organ transplants from deceased donors in the U.S
• Total organ transplants rose to just over 49,000 in 2025, up from 48,150 in 2024
• Federal data showed 116 fewer deceased-donor kidney transplants in 2025 compared to 2024

Despite the decrease in deceased-donor kidney transplants in 2025, the overall number of organ transplants increased slightly. This trend reflects ongoing adjustments in the allocation process and efforts to improve system efficiency.

Reports have surfaced of rare cases in which patients were being prepared for organ retrieval while showing signs of life. In each reported instance, the procedures were stopped before proceeding further.

Following these reports, new safeguards are being developed to prevent similar incidents in the future. These measures are part of a broader effort to enhance patient safety and maintain public trust in the transplant system.

The combination of increased transparency, new monitoring tools, and the development of additional safeguards represents a continued evolution in how the U.S. manages organ allocation and transplant procedures. Federal agencies remain focused on addressing challenges and improving outcomes for those awaiting transplants.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.