Permanent OPTN Fee Authority Act

The Permanent OPTN Fee Authority Act would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services permanent authority to collect registration fees from each member of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) for every transplant candidate that member places on the network’s waiting list. The collected fees would be used solely to support the operation of the OPTN and would be treated as discretionary offsetting collections within the Department. The bill also requires increased transparency, including quarterly public postings of fee amounts and the activities funded, and it requires a new data dashboard showing key OPTN metrics such as total transplants, transplant types, and organ entries and failures. In addition, the bill directs a GAO review within two years to assess these activities and provide recommendations. In practical terms, the bill creates a permanent funding mechanism tied to OPTN membership activity, while enhancing public reporting and data visibility. It also broadens the information technology and communications capabilities of OPTN through a new dashboard and updates to existing services. The funding would be distributed to eligible awardees tied to OPTN operations, subject to appropriations, and the accounts would remain available until expended.