The U.S. federal government has terminated its contract with Network for Hope, a nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating organ donations in Kentucky and parts of South Florida, following findings that the group pursued organs from critically ill patients who were still recovering. The decision, announced on Wednesday, is part of an ongoing effort by the Department of Health and Human Services to address safety and ethical concerns within the national organ transplant system.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose department oversees organ transplantation, stated that the move was necessary to "restore integrity" to the process. Speaking at an event in Lexington, Kentucky, Kennedy emphasized that the department would no longer tolerate organizations that jeopardize patient safety or undermine the trust of donors and their families.

Network for Hope was accused of endangering patients and failing to correct identified safety lapses despite several opportunities to make improvements. The organization operates donor coordination services across Kentucky and more than a dozen counties in South Florida.

This marks the first time the government has taken such a drastic measure against a federally contracted organ donation coordinator. Previously, about 55 nonprofit groups managed organ transplant coordination under federal contracts without facing disqualification. Last year, the department severed ties with a similar group in South Florida over related concerns.

In response, Network for Hope announced plans to appeal the termination, asserting that it had adhered to all federal policies and implemented patient safeguards. The organization expressed concerns that the decision would adversely affect more than 3,000 individuals currently awaiting lifesaving organ transplants.

The federal government’s increased scrutiny of organ procurement organizations reflects heightened attention to the ethical and procedural standards governing organ donation nationwide, amid reports of unsafe practices. The department has not detailed specific incidents or safety violations identified in Network for Hope’s operations, but the action underscores a commitment to ensuring donor and patient protection in the highly sensitive transplant process.