Dr Marc Siegel Talks About Network for Hope Organ Harvesting
Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy is bringing to light horror stories about the dark corners of organ harvesting. The department now pulling the accreditation of Kentucky’s Network for Hope, the main organ procurement organization in the state. I spoke with Secretary Kennedy about T.J. Hoover, who nearly had his organs taken by Network for Hope while he was still alive.
Secretary Kennedy – Organ Harvesting While There were Still Signs of Life
Real horror stories like the one about T.J. Hoover, who woke up on an operating table and grabbed the hand of the doctor who was removing his organs.
Dr Marc Siegel – Organ Procurement Process
Even after those signs of life, Kennedy says the organ procurement process continued until the physician refused to proceed. HHS says it uncovered 73 separate instances where the process of organ harvesting should have been stopped sooner. The investigation revealed that the nonprofit pressured medical personnel to proceed despite patients showing active signs of life and neurological function.
Secretary Kennedy – Unethical Organizations
Listen, if there is a bad organization that’s willing to do things that are unethical, they’re going to get away with things at any place where they operate. We saw that with Network for Hope organization. 30% of the procedures that they were performing had something wrong with them. So the system we have now should have a lot of, should have the benefits of true competition
Dr Marc Siegel – Organ Donations
Kennedy says he strongly supports organ donation when it’s done ethically and properly. His own nephew, Michael Hines, saved multiple lives, Bill, by donating his organs after his death at age 20.
CEO Reply to Kennedy Pulling Accreditation
Network for Hope‘s CEO says they plan to appeal the decision, claiming they are compliant with all organ procurement and transportation network policies.
NIH – “Death by Donation”: Harvesting Organs from Still-Living Persons
Sage Journals – “Death by Donation”: Harvesting Organs from Still-Living Persons
Sage Journals Research Link
