US: ‘Horrifying’ organ donation failures spark national reform effort

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a major reform of the nation’s organ donation system.

This comes after a federal investigation revealed disturbing failures—including cases where organs were almost taken from patients who may not have been legally dead.

The investigation focused on a procurement organization in Kentucky, but officials say similar problems have been reported in other regions.

Now, HHS is pushing for nationwide changes to restore public trust and improve safety.

The federal review examined 351 cases tied to Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, now called Network for Hope.

More than 100 cases raised red flags. In 73 of them, patients showed neurological signs incompatible with organ donation.

At least 28 cases involved patients who may still have been alive when organ recovery began.

“Our findings show that hospitals allowed the organ procurement process to begin when patients showed signs of life, and this is horrifying,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“The organ procurement organizations that coordinate access to transplants will be held accountable. The entire system must be fixed to ensure that every potential donor’s life is treated with the sanctity it deserves.”

The most shocking case involved 33-year-old TJ Hoover.

In 2021, after a drug overdose, Hoover was declared brain-dead and prepared for surgery.

But he woke up in the operating room while staff were bathing his body in surgical solution and preparing to take his organs.

He reportedly made eye contact, responded to touch, and shook his head.

A surgeon noticed his reactions and stopped the procedure.

Former staff had raised concerns that Hoover wasn’t brain-dead. But those warnings were ignored.

The case came to light during a congressional hearing in 2023. It is still under investigation by the Kentucky attorney general.

Hoover now lives with his sister in Richmond, Kentucky, and is undergoing intensive therapy.

His recovery journey is documented on TikTok to raise awareness.

Network for Hope has not responded to CNN’s request for comment.

However, the group says on its website that it is “fully committed to transparency” and working to review its practices in line with federal requirements.

The HHS report pointed to a breakdown in safety and oversight.

It cited failures to follow medical best practices, properly assess brain activity, respect family wishes, and coordinate with medical teams.

Investigators described the situation as “organizational dysfunction and poor quality and safety assurance culture.”

The agency has ordered the organization to conduct a root cause analysis and adopt procedures that allow donation to be stopped if safety concerns arise.

Tuesday’s congressional hearing will also examine donation after circulatory death (DCD), a practice where organs are taken after the heart stops—not after brain death.

This method has become more common, but some experts say it raises ethical concerns.

Lawmakers say reforms are urgently needed to ensure the system protects patients, respects families, and operates with full transparency.

(CNN)

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