Navigating the Unintended: A Call for Extended Public Input on Expedited Placement Variance for Pediatric Transplant Recipients

Dear Transplant Families,

We hope this message finds you well. Today, we want to bring your attention to an important proposal that could greatly impact our community – the "Expedited Placement Variance." This proposal aims to streamline the organ placement process, but there are many concerns, especially related to pediatric cases.

What is the Expedited Placement Variance?

The Expedited Placement Variance is a proposed change in the organ transplantation placement process. The idea is to speed up the decision-making process for organ placements, utilize more viable organs, and allow for more successful transplants.  This recommendation was brought forth by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in February of 2022.

Why Does It Matter?

Efficiency in organ placement is crucial and allows for the most number of people to receive a life saving transplant. This variance, however, could inadvertently disadvantage pediatric patients. Our younger population has unique needs, and making organ placement decisions too quickly might not consider all the relevant factors for long-term health.  The quality of transplant is highly important for pediatric patients as our population hopes to measure pediatric transplant recipient health for decades of success instead of for just a 1 year outcome, as this variance proposes.

Why We Need Your Input:

We recognize that this proposal could have a huge impact on pediatric transplant recipients. For this reason, we are urging for an extended public comment period. This extension would allow for thorough deliberation, input from medical professionals, transplant families, and advocacy groups who specialize in pediatric transplantation.  We believe that more time is needed for everyone in our community to weigh in on this proposal. 

The proposal is currently open for public comment only through February 4, 2024 and we need your comments now to make a real impact. Please share your experiences, insights, and concerns are vital to shaping a policy that truly works for our community.

What You Can Do to Help:

1.    Learn About the Proposal: Visit link to the proposal to understand the details of the Expedited Placement Variance. https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/policies-bylaws/public-comment/expedited-placement-variance/

2.    Share Your Experience: If you have experiences or concerns related to pediatric transplantation, share them in the public comment section. Your stories matter and can help shape the final decision.  If you don’t want to share your own story, but agree with Transplant Families’ comments please indicate your agreement.

3.    Advocate for More Time and Pediatric Experts to Weigh In: Support the call for an extended public comment period and explain that you want pediatric experts to weigh in to help make this variance the best it can be. Share this message with others in the transplant community and encourage them to participate.

Your input is so important, and together, we can ensure that this policy reflects the needs and considerations of our pediatric transplant community. Let's work together to make a positive impact on the future of organ transplantation.

Thank you for your support on this important initiative. 

Best regards,

From All of Us at Transplant Families