Favor the Waver

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United Methodist Healthcare asks for letter writing related to concerns about organ procurement in Tennessee.

Methodist Healthcare is asking United Methodists and the public for assistance with a local healthcare issue.

Click HERE for more information about the waiver, including sample letters of support, a way to submit online comments and educational information about organ sharing.

The faith-based Methodist Healthcare system is an active ministry partner with the Memphis, Arkansas and Mississippi Conferences of The United Methodist Church.

June 25 is the deadline to participate in a letter writing campaign called "Favor the Waiver" to help prevent a change later this year in the way Tennessee's organ procurement organizations work together. Without the waiver, Methodist Healthcare predicts a restricted organ supply in Memphis.

Click HERE to read a May 15 letter from Gary S. Shorb, President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare, in which he explains why the Methodist Transplant Institute and Methodist Healthcare are in need of a waiver to work with Tennessee Donor Services for organ procurement.

"Your support in preventing this change and helping the Transplant Institute continue saving lives is absolutely critical.  ...The community's voice is weighed heavily in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) decision, so we need to flood CMS with letters of support for this waiver," writes Shorb.

Shorb's letter provides detailed information about the need for the waiver and shares links to sample letters of support.

 A "tragedy that could be unfolding before us regarding transplant capability and organ procurement" is how Rev. Sandra L. Clay, Superintendent of the Asbury District of the Memphis Conference, described the matter in a request for help from Asbury District clergy.

 "With a waiver issued," explained Clay, "the sickest patient in the area would always have first 'shot' at new life when an organ in the cooperating area becomes available."

Click HERE for more information about the waiver, including sample letters of support, a way to submit online comments and educational information about organ sharing.