WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman David Schweikert (AZ-01) are demanding three Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) provide the Committee with financial records, information related to the use of private jets, and other documents following allegations of potential Medicare reimbursement fraud and abuse. The letters to the OPOs follow a public call for information as part of the Committee’s examination into whether these tax-exempt organizations are abiding by the existing laws and regulations that govern them.
“Organ Procurement Organizations serve a vital public good and have saved the lives of countless Americans, but like any beneficiary of tax-exempt status or recipient of public funds, they must operate within the bounds of the law,” said Chairman Smith. “Recent reports of fraud, abuse, and corruption at several of these organizations are deserving of investigation in order to maintain public trust in our nation’s organ donation network and to ensure these entities are operating within their stated tax exempt purpose.”
“The Ways and Means Committee is committed to ensuring proper use of taxpayer funds and will pursue any and all legislative means to ensure accountability and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse within our public health care system. I strongly encourage the OPOs receiving these letters to swiftly provide the Committee with the requested documentation.”
Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Schweikert said, “Congress must continue to ensure that all tax-exempt health care entities, including Organ Procurement Organizations, are aligning their incentives with their core mission of delivering quality care. We have a responsibility to make sure these organizations are not exploiting the tax code at the expense of taxpayers and beneficiaries.”
You can read the letter to the Indiana Donor Network here, the letter to Lifeshare Network, Inc. here, and the letter to the NJ Sharing Network here.