Dramatic Fallout in New Jersey: House Committee Investigates Organ Donation Network Over Alleged Illegal Practices
A U.S. House committee is investigating New Jersey’s major organ procurement organization, the NJ Sharing Network. The investigation followed whistleblower claims of fraud, coercion, and questionable medical decisions like organ recovery after a patient showed signs of life.
The House Ways and Means Committee investigated after nearly a dozen insiders made accusations. Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman David Schweikert (R-Arizona) wrote NJ Sharing Network CEO Carolyn Welsh about the misconduct.
The investigation centers on a disturbing case at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden. Whistleblower testimony claims organ recovery revived a dead patient. Welsh told staff to continue the procedure despite hospital staff objections, the committee wrote. Finally, hospital staff stopped recovery.
The committee claims using New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission records to pressure grieving families into organ donation, skipping the national transplant waitlist, discarding organs, manipulating data, and destroying documents.
NJTO denied discarding 100 pancreata in one day in 2024 despite internal records. Committee believes these actions may constitute “extreme abuse of public trust” and federal law violations.
Investigators also worry about NJ Sharing Network allocating organs without considering the national transplant waiting list. The UNOS ranks patients by medical urgency and survival. The committee said over 100 patients were bypassed, some dying or getting sick.
House leaders want over 30 NJ Sharing Network employees and executives’ documents and transcribed interviews for their investigation. Organisations must reply by December 3, 2025.
The stakes are high. This committee is considering whether NJ Sharing Network should remain tax-exempt and whether organ procurement organizations need reform. If true, these allegations could harm organ donation and transplant trust nationwide.
NJ Sharing Network claims to investigate complaints and has a compliance policy, but whistleblower allegations are stirring national concern.
Event-based investigations are not isolated. Other organ procurement organizations were examined. Another Senate probe found industry-wide conflicts and questionable performance metrics.
This investigation goes beyond financial and regulatory compliance. It challenges organ donation and life management ethics. Donor rights and life-giving system trust are under pressure in Congress.
Sources:
Ways & Means Committee letter and investigation details
Reporting on the Camden hospital case and whistleblower allegations
NJ Sharing Network compliance policy
Broader context on OPO industry concerns from Senate investigation
