New rules look to increase organ transplants in the U.S. 

More than 113,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and new rules proposed by the federal government aim to ease the strain on the system. Each of the 58 organ procurement organizations around the country have different rates of securing donors, and one of the rules would allow Medicare to evaluate OPOs on a yearly basis; those centers whose donation and transplantation rates aren’t similar to their competitors’ top rates would be pushed to improve. The regulations also look to increase the number of living donors — who can help cut wait times for organs — by removing some financial hurdles, such as not being reimbursed for lost wages. The latter rule’s specifics have yet to be worked out. The new proposals come after President Trump in July ordered revamping kidney care, including transplants.