Public Policy Library Document

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April 12, 2000

The Honorable Bill Frist United States Senate 416 Russell Senate Office Building Washington. D.C. 20510

The Honorable Edward Kennedy United States Senate 315 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senators Frist and Kennedy:

The American Society of Transplantation (AST) strongly endorses your legislation S. 2366, as recently approved by the Senate Health, Educationn, Labor and Pensions Committee. The Society congratulates you both and extends its continuing support of your efforts to enhance organ transplantation for the citizens of the United States through the "Organ Procurement and Transplant Network Act of 2000."

The AST, as the representative of the majority of professionals engaged in the field of transplantation in the United States, has worked closely with your offices on these issues, and we are optimistic that this legislation will enhance the operations of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OIPTN). In addition, we wish to reaffirm that the AST strongly believes that the legislative intent of this Act is to provide for a National System serving all citizens in the United States in a fair and just manner.

We look forward to continuing to work with you to refine a system that benefits all citizens and their families awaiting the "gift-of-life."

Sincerely,

John R. Lake, MD President

John F. Neylan, MD Immediate Past President Chair of the Public Policy Committee

John R. Lake, MD
President
John F. Neylan, MD
Immediate Past President
Chair of the Public Policy Committee

American Society of Transplantation
236 Route 38 West
Suite 100
Moorestown, NJ 08057

Dear Dr. Lake and Dr. Neylan:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the American Society of Transplantation (AST) for its support of S.2366, the "Organ Procurement and Transplant Network Act of 2000." As the representative of the majority of professionals engaged in the field of transplantation in the United States, AST has played an important leadership role in providing us with valuable information and data useful to the crafting of this important legislation.

As you are aware, S. 2366 was recently marked-up and approved unanimously by the Senate Health, Educationn, Labor and Pensions Committee. As the bill continues to move, we would greatly appreciate your continued support and leadership to further educate Congress, the broader health care community, and patients on the important impact of this legislation.

We look forward to continuing to work with you to refine a system that benefits all citizens and their families awaiting the "gift-of-life."

Sincerely,

cc: Bill Applegate
Director of Government Relations
American Society of Transplantation