ISHLT Submits Comments on OPTN Policy Proposal
In response to a request for public comment from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) has submitted official comments on a proposal titled “Update on Lung Continuous Distribution Policy.”
ISHLT’s responses were developed by the Society’s Advocacy Committee, chaired by Alan Betensley, MD, of Northwestern University, with input from ISHLT’s Advanced Lung Failure and Transplantation Interdisciplinary Network (IDN) Steering Committee, and contributions from the broader membership. After thorough review, the final comments were approved by the ISHLT Executive Committee.
The ISHLT's Advanced Lung Failure and Transplantation IDN recently hosted a webinar discussing the proposed changes to the Lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS). The webinar recording is available online.
The Advocacy Committee plays a crucial role in guiding ISHLT’s engagement with global policy issues, always focused on advancing care and improving outcomes for patients with advanced heart and lung disease.
The OPTN public comment process is an important avenue for all stakeholders, including transplant candidates and their families, to provide input to the OPTN Board of Directors. This feedback ensures that a wide range of perspectives shapes the future of organ procurement and transplantation policy. For more information on the public comment process, please visit the OPTN website.