Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act proposes to establish federal protections for individuals with disabilities who are seeking life-saving organ transplants. If enacted, the bill would make it illegal for healthcare facilities, transplant centers, or insurance providers to deny a patient access to the transplant waiting list or surgery based on a physical or mental disability. It aims to ensure that medical decisions are based on clinical factors rather than assumptions about a person's quality of life or their ability to manage post-operative care independently.

The legislation would provide legal recourse for patients who believe they have been discriminated against, allowing them to seek expedited review of their cases. By standardizing these protections at the federal level, the bill seeks to eliminate regional disparities in how transplant eligibility is determined for the disability community. This would ensure that all citizens, regardless of their cognitive or physical challenges, have an equal opportunity to receive donated organs when medically necessary.