A Zero Sum Game: Equitable Distribution of Organ Transplants

Abstract

The transplantation of organs represents an extraordinary medical breakthrough and has positively impacted the lives of many. However, the supply of transplantable organs is inadequate to provide treatment for everyone who needs it. As such, organs must be allocated with as much regard for equity and beneficence as possible. In the United States’ current system, poverty disadvantages access to organ transplants. This unfortunate fact owes to issues related with the ability to pay, geographic access, substance abuse, and psychosocial factors, which disparately affect the poor. Reform strategies should be considered that mitigate these disadvantages, in order to ensure equality of access to lifesaving organs.