S-532 : Still Just a Bill

The "OPTN Fee Collection Authority Act" (S. 532) amends Section 372 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 274) and aims to improve the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Key provisions include:

• Electronic Health Records Integration: Encourages the integration of electronic health records systems among hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and transplant centers to improve efficiency and coordination.
• Transparency Dashboard: Requires consideration of establishing a dashboard to display transplant statistics, providing more frequent updates than annually.
• Registration Fees: Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect registration fees from OPTN members for each transplant candidate placed on the waiting list.
• Use of Fees: Specifies that these fees will support the operation of the OPTN and remain available until expended.
• Fee Management: Describes how the collected fees will be credited and distributed within the Department of Health and Human Services, subject to appropriations acts.
• Transparency in Fee Usage: Mandates public posting of collected fees and their usage on the OPTN website, updated quarterly.
• GAO Review: Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a review of the activities under this subsection and submit a report to relevant congressional committees within two years of enactment.
• Sunset Clause: The authority to collect registration fees will expire three years after the enactment of the OPTN Fee Collection Authority Act.