Liver distribution policy, NLRB implementation deferred until May 14

Published on: Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Important update: Policy and system changes are in place, effective May 14, 2019. 

At the direction of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), implementation of both the liver and intestinal organ distribution policy based on acuity circles and the National Liver Review Board (NLRB) will be deferred until May 14, 2019.

This decision is related to a federal lawsuit filed by several plaintiffs challenging the liver distribution policy approved by the OPTN Board of Directors in December 2018.  The deferral will allow the court additional time to consider the issues raised in the lawsuit. 

The conversion of exception scores to the new NLRB criteria will also be deferred until May 14.  This means that candidates with an existing exception score will retain their score until that date unless it expires or is due for extension.  The existing regional review boards will continue to consider requests for new or extended exception scores until the new implementation date.

We will keep you informed of additional developments.