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Agency gives thumbs down to
organ-sharing program Posted
9-13-99 Washington. The network that runs the nation's organ transplant system scrapped a liver-sharing plan proposed by four states because it excluded Illinois. In their proposed plan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota had agreed to share their supply of donated livers among their sickest patients. But a new policy issued by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) on Aug. 16 requires states within 11 specific regions to offer donated livers to the sickest patients within that region. In this case, the region includes these four states plus Illinois. But with six liver transplant programs in Chicago and a large number of sick patients, Illinois could end up with a disproportionate share of livers compared to its neighboring states, which have some of the nation's strongest donation programs. Illinois argued it has a right to livers donated in other states as long as its patients are in most need. Wisconsin and Minnesota said they would share their organs only if Illinois promises to pay back a liver for every one it receives. Although no details of the payback system were revealed, UNOS said it would try to appease the four states by imposing a system that would require Illinois to pay back the other states for any organs it receives. UNOS ordered all five states into a formal conflict resolution process.
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