For four decades, the OPTN Board of Directors has been one-and-the-same as the corporate Board of Directors for the federal government’s contractor, raising issues about potential conflicts of interest. Now, as part of the OPTN Modernization Initiative, HRSA has separated the OPTN Board of Directors from the OPTN contractor so it may better serve the interests of patients and their families. In the latest step, announced on August 29, HRSA has awarded an OPTN Board Support contract to The American Institutes for Research (AIR) to support the newly incorporated OPTN Board of Directors.
The American Institutes for Research, a national nonprofit organization, will be accountable to HRSA and will organize a special election for a new OPTN Board of Directors. The Board Support contractor will focus on eliminating conflicts of interest and ensuring that data, evidence, and the voices of clinical leaders, scientific experts, patients, and donor families are driving action and accountability.
Establishing a separate Board of Directors and awarding a new Board Support contract is a significant step in HRSA’s OPTN Modernization Initiative and implements a key component of the bipartisan Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act signed by President Biden in September 2023.
The new OPTN Board Support contractor will provide independent governance and ensure strong conflict of interest requirements to support the independent OPTN Board. This will include:
- Establishing a transitional nominating committee and seeking public input to develop a slate of candidates for a Board of Directors special election.
- Conducting a special election to establish an independent OPTN Board of Directors.
- Reviewing and providing recommendations for modernizing OPTN by-laws and conflict of interest policy and supporting Board implementation.
- Reviewing Board composition and structure, making recommendations and supporting implementation of approved reforms to improve functionality and system outcomes.
- Supporting the new Board of Directors in executing its oversight and management responsibilities.
In July 2024, HRSA supported the incorporation of a non-profit organization, independent from the OPTN contractor, to serve as the new OPTN Board of Directors through a HRSA-issued designation contract. HRSA worked with the OPTN officials to align existing OPTN bylaws, policies, and procedures to the new structure, which the OPTN Board members voted on and adopted.