"We just need everybody here today... to admit that we have issues we have to fix and not just point fingers," Kentucky Congressman Brett Guthrie, House Energy and Commerce Committee chair, said in his opening comments during the December 2 hearing on organ procurement policies.
Much discussion was centered around the Network for Hope, with a whistleblower echoing federal findings that that flagged more than 70 cases in which investigators felt the organ donation process should have been stopped sooner.
In response to a story WUKY aired Thursday, Network for Hope CEO Barry Massa said the claims made in the hearing "do not reflect the positive impact Network for Hope has had since its merger in October 2024." The statement went on to say the organization has worked cooperatively with Congress and oversight agencies.
Massa said Network for Hope is committed to "transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in the organ donation process" and will continue to "foster strong and collaborative relationships with our partners in this deeply important, life-saving mission to prioritize and ensure a safe and compassionate donation process for the individuals who are donors and their families."
As a result of the investigations, the New York Times reported Network for Hope is now required to conduct neurological assessments on potential organ donors every 12 hours and increase staff training.