The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to address longstanding racial disparities in kidney transplantation. The proposed Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model aims to revolutionize the organ transplant system by improving access, quality of care, and equity for all individuals with end-stage renal disease.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the stark reality of racial inequities in organ transplantation, noting that Black Americans disproportionately struggle with kidney disease yet receive a smaller percentage of kidney transplants. The Biden-Harris Administration is taking concrete steps to eliminate racial bias in calculating wait times and root out profiteering in the transplant process.
The current kidney transplant system is plagued by fragmented care and disparities that contribute to inequitable distribution of this life-saving treatment. According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, while 32% of waitlisted individuals were African American in 2021, only 13.5% of living donor transplant recipients were African American. In contrast, White individuals made up 35.8% of the waitlist but received 61.8% of living donor transplants.
To combat these disparities, the IOTA Model would require participating transplant hospitals to establish health equity plans. These plans would identify access gaps in underserved communities and develop strategies to address them, such as educating potential living donors from these communities or providing transportation assistance to waitlisted patients.
The proposed model aligns with the HHS Organ Transplant Affinity Group’s strategy to increase transplantation access through payment, quality, and regulatory efforts. It complements existing initiatives, including HRSA’s OPTN Modernization Initiative, which aims to strengthen accountability and performance in the nation’s organ transplant system.
By addressing racial bias, improving access, and promoting health equity, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking a significant step towards ensuring that all Americans have an equal opportunity to receive life-saving kidney transplants.
See “Biden-Harris Administration Acts to Improve Access to Kidney Transplants” (May 8, 2024)
