12 Hospitals Beg Waivers to Shake Up Organ Donation Zones
Published Date: 3/9/2026
Notice
Summary
Twelve hospitals have asked for special permission to work with different organ donation groups than usual. This could change how organs are collected and shared, affecting patients waiting for transplants. The government wants your thoughts by May 8, 2026, before deciding if these hospitals get the green light.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
12 Hospitals Seek Different OPOs
Twelve hospitals in South Carolina have asked CMS for waivers so they can make agreements with a different organ procurement organization (OPO). The hospitals want to switch from the designated OPO 'SCOP (We are Sharing Hope)' to 'NCCM (LifeShare Carolinas)'. This change could affect how organs are collected and shared and may change access for patients waiting for transplants in those hospital service areas.
Waiver Approval Criteria Protect Access
The Secretary must grant a hospital's waiver request if the waiver is expected to increase organ donations and will ensure equitable treatment of patients referred for transplants. When deciding, the Secretary may consider factors such as cost effectiveness, improvements in quality, changes from metropolitan statistical area definitions, and the length of the hospital's relationship with the requested OPO.
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Key Dates
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