Federal officials have decertified Network for Hope, the Louisville-based organ procurement organization serving about 7 million people across four states, citing CMS and HRSA findings. HRSA reviewed 351 authorized-but-uncompleted donation cases from 2021–2024 and found that over 29% had concerning features, including 73 patients with neurological signs; the report also alleges some procurements began before donors were declared dead. Network for Hope says it will appeal and contends it follows transplant network policies, while regional hospitals say transplant services should continue without interruption.
Federal Health Officials Decertify Network for Hope After Patient Safety Findings; Organization Plans Appeal
Network for Hope, the 16th-largest organ procurement organization in the United States, serves 7 million people across all Kentucky counties and parts of Ohio, including Cincinnati.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has federally decertified Network for Hope, the Louisville-based organ procurement organization (OPO) that coordinates donations for hospitals across parts of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. The agency cited findings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and reports from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as the basis for the action.
What Network for Hope Does
Network for Hope, ranked among the nation's largest OPOs, serves roughly 7 million people and works with 188 hospitals. Its board includes members affiliated with regional health systems including The Christ Hospital, UC Health, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Mercy Health and Cincinnati Children’s.
Findings Behind Decertification
HRSA reviewed 351 cases from 2021 through 2024 in which organ donation had been authorized but was not completed at Network for Hope. According to the department's summary, more than 29% of those cases showed "concerning features," including 73 patients who displayed neurological signs that interfered with donation. The report also alleges that, in some instances, organ procurement was initiated before potential donors were declared dead.
Local Hospital Response
"Patients and families can be confident that organ donation services in Greater Cincinnati will continue without interruption,"
The Health Collaborative, speaking for hospitals in Greater Cincinnati, said it does not expect patient care, transplant procedures or organ donation practices to be disrupted by the decertification. St. Elizabeth Healthcare issued a similar statement, saying it does not anticipate changes to care.
Network for Hope's Reaction And Ongoing Dispute
Barry Massa, CEO of Network for Hope, said the organization will appeal Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision and maintains it complies with Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network policies. Massa also cited a Kentucky law passed in April 2026 that establishes a "pause in procedure" process for donors whose condition changes—legislation Network for Hope helped draft, he said.
Massa warned the decision could harm more than 3,000 people waiting for transplants. A later Network for Hope statement said that none of the 188 hospitals it serves will be affected; the organization did not clarify the apparent contradiction when asked.
Allegations And Legal Case
While HHS did not name individual cases in its press release, court documents obtained by The Enquirer in an active Jefferson County lawsuit recount the case of a patient referred to as "Hoover," admitted after a drug overdose left him unresponsive. Nyckoletta Martin, a former employee of Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (an entity later associated with Network for Hope), resigned and told investigators she felt staff were pressured to proceed with donation despite signs of brain activity. Martin also sent a letter to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which later held a hearing in July 2025 where Massa defended the organization and called the allegations false.
Next Steps
Network for Hope has announced an appeal of the decertification. Meanwhile, federal agencies and local hospitals say transplant services will continue while the dispute proceeds. The case highlights broader regulatory reforms announced by HHS in July 2025 and raises questions about oversight, donor safeguards and how organ procurement organizations should respond to changes in donor condition.
Note: This article is based on a Department of Health and Human Services press release, HRSA and CMS findings, court documents and statements from regional hospitals and Network for Hope leadership.
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