The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated the process of decertifying Network for Hope, an organ procurement organisation (OPO), following a federal investigation into allegations that it attempted to recover organs from a patient who was still alive. The action marks the second major enforcement measure against an OPO under the Trump administration's ongoing crackdown on patient safety and oversight failures.

Announcing the decision on Wednesday, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said organisations responsible for managing organ donations must be held to the highest standards, warning that repeated failures that endanger patients would not be tolerated.

"When an organisation entrusted with the gift of life repeatedly puts patients at risk, the federal government has the duty to act," Kennedy said while announcing the proposed decertification.

Investigation Triggered by 2021 Case

The investigation centres on the case of T.J. Hoover, a Kentucky man who, according to federal findings, was taken to the operating room for organ recovery in 2021 despite showing signs of consciousness.

The case drew national attention after testimony during a US congressional hearing in July 2025, where lawmakers described the incident as resembling "a horror movie."

According to HHS, Hoover reportedly regained consciousness before life support was withdrawn. Family members later alleged that he was crying, moving and attempting to resist while preparations for organ recovery were underway.

His sister, Donna Rhorer, claimed the organisation's coordinators continued to push for the procedure despite visible signs that Hoover was responsive.

"He was thrashing, crying, and grabbing the doctor's hands to stop him. My brother almost died that day. That should never happen to anyone," she said.

Physicians ultimately refused to proceed with the organ recovery operation.

Audit Found Dozens of Questionable Cases

Federal investigators reviewed 351 cases handled by Network for Hope between 2021 and 2024 in which organ donation had been authorised but ultimately not completed.

According to HHS, 73 of those cases involved patients displaying neurological signs considered incompatible with organ donation, raising broader concerns over evaluation procedures and patient safety protocols.

Network for Hope currently serves nearly 7 million people across Kentucky and parts of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.

Organisation to Challenge Decision

Network for Hope has rejected the government's findings and announced plans to appeal the proposed decertification.

Chief Executive Officer Barry Massa said the organisation strongly disagreed with the action, arguing that the decision could negatively affect thousands of patients awaiting organ transplants.

He stated that more than 3,000 people on transplant waiting lists within the organisation's service region could be impacted if the decertification proceeds.

Second OPO Facing Federal Action

Network for Hope is the second organ procurement organisation targeted during the current federal review of the organ donation system.

In September 2025, HHS revoked the certification of Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, a Miami-based organisation, citing mismanagement and patient safety concerns.

The latest action reflects increasing federal scrutiny of organ procurement organisations, which have previously faced allegations ranging from operational failures to patient safety violations but have rarely been subjected to severe regulatory penalties.

Health officials say the latest measures are intended to strengthen public confidence in the US organ donation system while ensuring that strict medical and ethical standards are followed before any organ recovery procedure is carried out.