Chairman Smith Applauds Trump Administration’s Action to Hold Miami-Based Organ Procurement Organization Accountable Following Ways and Means’ Investigative Actions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., announced the department has issued an intent to decertify Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency.

"Today's action by the Trump Administration is a critical step toward restoring trust and accountability in our nation's organ procurement system. The reports out of Miami and information the Committee obtained through its investigation, including conversations with multiple whistleblowers, were deeply disturbing. Innocent patients, especially those showing signs of consciousness, should never be treated as an opportunity for profit. Donors, families, and patients must have confidence that this system is driven by compassion and medical integrity, not profit.

"The Ways and Means Committee's investigation will continue to follow the facts and ensure that tax-exempt organ procurement organizations like Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency are held to the highest standards. No American taxpayer should be on the hook for Medicare fraud or unsafe practices. I commend the Trump Administration for standing up for patients and taking this historic action to ensure that the law is enforced."

In July, Chairman Smith, along with Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman David Schweikert (AZ-01), demanded Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency turn over documents related to allegations of Medicare fraud and multiple lapses in patient safety. The request comes amid an ongoing Ways and Means Committee investigation into unsafe and illegal practices at organ procurement organizations nationwide. The Committee will continue to aggressively advocate for action against tax-exempt organ procurement organizations who fail to meet their critical mission to save lives. The Committee's investigations into other organ procurement organizations, including Network for Hope, New Jersey Sharing Network, LifeShare Network, and others is ongoing. These organizations, and any others that have acted outside of their tax-exempt purpose, should take notice of today's action and act transparently while complying with the Committee's investigation.

READ: Chairmen Smith, Schweikert Launch Investigation into Tax Exempt Organ Procurement Organization "Network for Hope" Following Alarming Patient Safety Report

READ: Chairmen Smith, Schweikert Expand Ways and Means Investigation into Organ Procurement Organizations Following Whistleblower Reports of Medicare Fraud

READ: Smith, Schweikert Demand Tax-Exempt Organ Procurement Organizations Turn Over Financial Records, Flight Logs, Medicare Reimbursements, Other Documents as Part of Committee Investigation

READ: Ways & Means Seeks Public Input on Tax-Exempt Organ Procurement Organizations: Potential Violations of Medicare Reimbursement Rules, Misallocation of Resources, and Abuses of U.S. Tax Law