Critical Medical Delays: Rep. Beth Van Duyne Demands End to Bureaucratic Barriers in Organ Transplants

Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Texas said on Saturday that Congress must act swiftly to further roll back federal regulations that prevent patients from receiving life-saving organ transplants.

“I introduced this bill because I had heard from so many different folks around the country,” Van Duyne said, referring to legislation aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays in organ transplantation.

The Texas Republican emphasized that existing regulatory hurdles often keep patients from accessing necessary organs even after a match is found. “You already are in a really horrible position when you are waiting on an organ donation,” she stated. “And the worst thing is to hear that you have a match, that it’s on its way, but because of all the red tape, it doesn’t get to you.”

Van Duyne described the current system as one where regulations do not enhance patient safety but add unnecessary steps. “We are trying to bust through all of these massive regulations that are not for patient safety, but they’re just for checking the box and basically for defending an overzealous, overstaffed bureaucracy,” she added.

The Rep. urged Congress to pass her Organ Donation Act quickly, stating it would save lives if signed by the president. “I hope to be able to see that bill not only put on the floor but get out of the Senate and signed by the president because it will save lives,” Van Duyne said.