Vote Yes by June 15 on Proposed Changes to Lung Allocation

Pulmonary Hypertension Association PHA

The United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) uses an assessment called the Lung Allocation Score (LAS) to help determine the allocation of organs to patients in need, including PH patients awaiting lung transplant. Currently, the LAS significantly underestimates a PH patient's need for transplant, but that could change soon and you can help.

Recently, Raymond Benza, MD, of the West Penn Allegheny Health System, worked with UNOS on an initiative to “even the playing field” for PH patients seeking lung transplants. As a result of this work, the Thoracic Organ Transplant Committee proposed revisions to the LAS system that would greatly benefit PH patients and others waiting for transplants.

UNOS and the Thoracic Organ Transplant Committee want to hear from you about these changes! They’ve opened a public comment period on these revisions until June 15, 2012.

Public comments may come from private citizens, health professionals, patients, caregivers, friends and anyone else with a connection to this issue. When supporting the change by marking “yes,” you may also include comments about your connection to PH or transplant and why this policy change is important to you.

To make comments, visit: www.PHAssociation.org/LAS/SubmitComments