LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A U.S. House subcommittee was scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday to address safety lapses in organizations that handle organ transplants.

The hearings come after a federal investigation into Louisville-based nonprofit Network for Hope after claims that the organization tried to harvest organs from some people who woke up after being declared brain dead. 

Investigators examined more than 350 of the company's cases and discovered approximately 70 patients had neurological problems that made them unfit for organ donation, but they were not rejected. 

Officials said 28 cases involved patients who may not have been dead at the time the organ donation process began.

One incident that caught the attention of lawmakers happened in October 2021, according to reporting from Fox56 in Lexington. That's when Anthony Thomas "TJ" Hoover II, an organ donor who was admitted to Baptist Health Richmond's Emergency Room in cardiac arrest. He was later declared brain dead, and his family was honoring his final wishes.

At some point, Hoover opened his eyes and began "thrashing around ... and pushing everybody's hands away," according to the Fox56 report. 

The Fox56 report states that Nyckoletta Martin, a surgical preservation coordinator, said two doctors refused to continue with the procedure, "but the KODA coordinator that was on site that day actually called KODA’s admin for some guidance and was told, 'You will find another surgeon or you’ll lose your job because we’re going to complete this case.'"

Network for Hope -- which merged with Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) in 2024 -- said it's committed to transparency, and is cooperating with the federal government.

The Department of Health and Human Services has promised to improve the nation's organ donation policies.

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