JAMA Intern Med

Race-neutral kidney function policy boosts transplant access for Black patients

March 11, 2026

A national policy requiring transplant centers to restore wait time lost because of race‑based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculations was associated with a short‑term increase in kidney transplant rates among Black candidates, according to a quasi‑experimental Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) analysis of >181,000 adults. From January 2023 to June 2025, more than 21,000 candidates received added wait time (median gain, 1.7 years), increasing their priority on the transplant list. Among Black candidates specifically, the policy was associated with a significant uptick of 5.3 additional transplants per 1,000 listings, with benefits observed in both pre‑dialysis and post‑dialysis groups.

Clinical takeaway: Clinicians should ensure they use race-neutral eGFR and remain attentive to updated transplant eligibility timelines, as corrective policies may accelerate access for previously disadvantaged patients.

Source:

Khazanchi R, et al. (2026, March 9). JAMA Intern Med. Wait Time Modifications for Black Transplant Candidates Affected by Race-Based Kidney Function Estimation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41801177/