By Rebecca Canino, Anne R. Links, and Fawaz Al Ammary
In the face of a growing organ donation crisis in the United States, characterized by a decline in donors and a surge in transplant waitlists, it has become increasingly clear that existing regulatory barriers impede access to critical transplant services. One solution lies in dismantling the artificial barrier of state-based medical licensure, a move that holds the potential to significantly enhance access for both donors and recipients of organ transplants. During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the United States Department of Health & Human Services demonstrated flexibility by superseding state licensure mandates, thereby allowing providers with valid medical licensure in one state to care for patients in all states. This resulted in tangible improvements in outcomes for donors and recipients alike and prompted a notable surge in telemedicine usage, which not only streamlined evaluations but also mitigated the financial burdens (approximately $5000 per donor) and the logistical complexities associated with in-person consultations, particularly for out-of-state living donors.