Bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) that addresses organ transplants received approval on Monday from the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, H.R. 2706, which currently has 43 cosponsors, would prohibit healthcare providers and other entities involved in matching donated organs with recipients from denying or restricting an individual’s access to organ transplants solely on the basis of the individual’s disability, except in limited circumstances, according to the congressional record bill summary.
If enacted, the bill also would prohibit covered entities from determining an individual is ineligible to receive a transplant, deny an organ transplant or related service, refuse to refer the individual to an organ transplant center, refuse to place an individual on a waiting list, or decline insurance coverage for a transplant or related service based solely on the fact that the individual has a disability, the summary says.
H.R. 2706 is named for Charlotte Woodward, a woman with Down syndrome who received a lifesaving heart transplant more than 12 years ago. Rep. Cammack’s introduction of the bill in April 2023 was inspired by Baby Zion Sarmiento from Ocala, Fla., who was born with Down syndrome and a heart defect in June 2021. Following 40 days in the NICU and five open-heart surgeries, Zion passed away after being denied a heart transplant because of his disability, states the summary.
“This is a monumental day for all of us,” said Rep. Kat Cammack following House approval of the bill, which now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
“I want to thank Charlotte, Bobbi and Josh Sarmiento, and all of the advocates who have worked hard to get this bill to this point,” the congresswoman added. “We’re inspired by your stories and will continue to fight for this issue so no other American experiences what the Sarmiento family — and so many others — did.”
Rep. Cammack also thanked the bill’s lead original cosponsor, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), for her partnership and work on the measure, as well as U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), who helped guide the bill through her committee’s unanimous approval on March 20.
“No one should be denied a life-saving organ transplant solely because they are living with a disability,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “I commend Rep. Cammack for her leadership on this important bill that will ensure all patients are treated fairly in the organ transplant system.”