Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday that the federal government is decertifying Network for Hope, an organ procurement organization serving Kentucky and surrounding states, following federal reviews that identified alleged patient safety failures.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a decertification notice stating that Medicare and Medicaid payments tied to Network for Hope’s organ procurement costs will end after Nov. 3.
“Americans who choose to become organ donors deserve a system that honors their gift and protects every patient,” Kennedy said. “Today’s action reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting the sanctity of life. Organizations that repeatedly fail to meet federal standards and put patients at risk will be held accountable.”
The action follows renewed scrutiny of Network for Hope after the 2021 case of Anthony “TJ” Hoover II, a Kentucky man whose family said he showed signs of life while medical teams were preparing for organ donation.
Hoover was hospitalized following an overdose and was initially declared dead, according to his family.
His sister, Donna Rhorer, said relatives were told he had no reflexes, responses, or brain activity before they agreed to remove him from life support and proceed with organ donation.
Rhorer later said Hoover began opening his eyes and appearing aware of his surroundings while medical teams were preparing for the procedure.
“His eyes started to open, and not just open, he was checking around, looking to see what was going on,” Rhorer said, according to The Blaze.
Nyckoletta Martin, a former surgical preservation coordinator with Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, Network for Hope’s predecessor organization, testified before Congress that Hoover regained consciousness during a procedure and that the family was not informed.
“They prepared to recover his organs while he was still alive,” Rhorer said during Wednesday’s news conference, according to Louisville Public Radio. “My brother almost died that day. That should never happen to anyone.”
Rhorer also alleged that “the surgeon refused to proceed” and that a coordinator was pressured to find another surgeon after the procedure was stopped, according to NewsNation.
Hoover survived and has continued to experience neurological challenges, according to his family and news reports.
Network for Hope has disputed claims that it was involved in patient care decisions and said organ procurement organizations only proceed after a patient has been declared dead by independent medical providers, LEX 18 reported.
The case drew national attention and prompted further scrutiny of Network for Hope’s practices.
Federal investigators later reviewed hundreds of additional cases involving the organization and identified broader concerns.
According to HHS, the Health Resources and Services Administration reviewed 351 cases between 2021 and 2024 where organ donation was authorized but not completed.
Investigators found 103 cases with “concerning features,” including 73 patients with neurological signs officials said were incompatible with organ donation.
The review also identified concerns involving neurological assessments, coordination with medical teams, consent practices, and classification of causes of death, particularly in overdose cases.
“HRSA worked closely with Network for Hope over the past year through intensive monitoring and corrective action to address serious patient safety concerns,” HRSA Administrator Tom Engels said. “Despite those efforts, the organization did not demonstrate the improvements necessary to meet federal standards.”
Network for Hope CEO Barry Massa said the organization strongly disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal.
“NFH is compliant with all OPTN policies and has implemented a first-of-its-kind ‘pause in procedure’ process,” Massa said, arguing the decision could affect more than 3,000 people waiting for organ transplants.
The decertification process comes as federal officials continue reviewing reforms to the nation’s organ donation system.
The decertification decision is expected to face an appeal from Network for Hope and could become part of a broader debate over federal oversight of organ procurement organizations.
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