A group of whistleblowers has accused the NJ Sharing Network, a federally funded organ procurement organization based in New Jersey, of unethical and coercive practices in the harvesting and distribution of human organs. The allegations, now the focus of a formal investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, include disturbing claims of harvesting organs from patients who showed signs of life, pressuring grieving families for consent, and discarding large numbers of organs without medical justification.
According to a 12-page letter sent by House investigators, one of the most serious allegations involves the 2018 recovery of organs from a patient who reportedly exhibited signs of life during the procedure. Documents suggest that the recovery team proceeded under non-clinical direction from NJ Sharing Network CEO Carolyn Welsh, even though a doctor had advised against proceeding due to signs of a heartbeat. The case is now being reviewed for potential violations of both medical ethics and federal policy.
Additional whistleblower reports claim the organization routinely pressured hospital staff and families to proceed with donations under duress. In some cases, staff allegedly disregarded standard waiting list procedures, improperly allocating organs and disposing of viable pancreases en masse—hundreds in a single day. These actions raise serious concerns about potential violations of national transplant policy and waste of critical medical resources.
The NJ Sharing Network is one of 56 federally approved nonprofit organ procurement organizations responsible for coordinating donations and transplants. Its conduct, however, is part of a broader pattern. Earlier reports and lawsuits have alleged that similar organizations around the country have recovered non-viable organs to meet performance quotas and maximize reimbursements through Medicare.
The House Committee on Ways and Means has formally requested information from NJ Sharing Network and is reviewing whether federal reforms are needed to improve accountability within the organ donation system. Lawmakers emphasized that the allegations, if verified, could undermine public trust in a system that depends on transparency, ethical standards, and respect for human dignity.
