Biden Volunteers in Philadelphia for MLK Day, Signs Law to Improve Organ Transplant System

President Biden traveled to Pennsylvania on Monday to volunteer with Philabundance in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This marked his third MLK Day visit to Philabundance and his fourth visit to the Keystone State since December 2023.

Biden volunteered alongside Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, helping prepare food boxes for those in need. This volunteer effort came after his recent visits to Allentown to promote his economic record and commemorate three years since the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

In December, Biden visited Philadelphia to announce funding that would reopen three fire companies in the city.

The road closure due to the visit caused traffic disruptions around the Wells Fargo Center, where fans were encouraged to arrive early for the Sixers game.

Meanwhile, a new bipartisan bill signed into law by President Biden aims to overhaul the country’s organ transplant system. The legislation seeks to increase competition among contractors, secure additional funding, and improve the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).

The OPTN manages organ procurement, allocation, and transplantation in the U.S. However, the system has been criticized for inefficiencies and disparities in organ transplantation.

Prior to the reform, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) was the sole entity managing the OPTN through a contract with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Under the new law, HRSA will introduce multiple contracts instead of a single one, aiming to address disparities and improve transparency and oversight. This process, along with organ allocation modifications, may take a few years.

The reform also aims to address the disparities in organ transplantation, with evidence suggesting that people of color and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to receive transplants.

While deceased organ donation is common, living organ donation for kidneys and livers can significantly reduce waiting times. Nebraska Medicine, for example, specializes in organ transplants and emphasizes the importance of living organ donation.