This upcoming Sunday, the people of Venezuela will hold an election that, if legitimate, would put an end to years of the oppressive Maduro narco-regime. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued a statement in support of the Venezuelan people: “The...
NOTICIAS
Últimas Noticias
Rubio: “La Tenacidad y Valentía del Pueblo venezolano Estarán a la Vista”
Este próximo domingo, el pueblo venezolano tendrá una elección que, de ser legítima, pondría fin a años de opresión por parte del narco-régimen de Maduro. El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) grabó un mensaje de video en español y emitió una declaración en...
Rubio, Scott, Colleagues to Biden Admin: No Privileges Should Be Given to 9/11 Terrorist
Twenty-three years ago, the United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001. Now, Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person convicted in a U.S. court for his role in the attack, has requested the U.S. Department of Justice to allow a prisoner transfer...
Next Week: Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Ensuring Continuity in Veterans’ Health Act
As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opens up new facilities, many veterans are losing access to the VA’s Community Care Program and, consequently, their long-term healthcare providers. Veterans throughout the country have reported a loss of care, including...
Rubio Introduces Bill to Strengthen U.S.-India Security Partnership
The U.S.-India partnership is vital to countering influences from Communist China. In order to strengthen this partnership, it is essential to enhance our strategic diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with New Delhi. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)...
Rubio, Hassan Introduce Legislation to Prevent Organ Transplant Discrimination Against Patients With Disabilities
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (S.3301), which would ensure that providers cannot discriminate against patients in need of an organ transplant solely on the basis of a disability. Congresswoman Jamie Herrera-Beutler (R-WA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year (H.R. 1235).
More than 25 states, including Florida, currently prohibit organ transplantation discrimination. However, discrepancies across state laws and delays in delivering relief to patients has made enforcement difficult. The legislation would set a baseline for states by clarifying that providers must comply with the protections afforded to patients with disabilities. The bill would also expedite injunctive relief through federal courts for patients and families that experienced discrimination due to a disability in the transplantation process.
The bill is named after Charlotte Woodward, an advocate with Down syndrome who received a heart transplant nine years ago and has fought to raise the issue of organ transplant discrimination in various states, including her home state of Virginia. Recently in Florida, Zion Sarmiento, who was born on June 15, 2021 with a congenital heart defect and Down syndrome, was denied a heart transplant and tragically passed away on October 8, 2021.
“It is heartless to discriminate against someone in need of an organ transplant because they have a disability,” Rubio said. “Zion, a 16-week old baby with Down syndrome, passed away because he was denied an organ transplant. Zion’s story is not only devastating, it is unacceptable. This legislation would honor Zion’s life and help ensure that what happened to him never happens to anyone else.”
“People with disabilities are too often overlooked and in being denied full inclusion can encounter hurdles that many of us cannot even begin to imagine, including when it comes to receiving the life-saving care of an organ transplant,” Hassan said. “All individuals should be guaranteed quality of care, and that’s something I’ll always fight for. I’m proud to help lead this effort with Senator Rubio to make sure that discrimination has no place in medical care.”
“As someone with Down syndrome who has had the opportunity to receive a life-saving heart transplant, I am so very, very grateful that this bill will give others the same,” Charlotte said.
“People with disabilities are no less deserving of life-saving organ transplants than people without disabilities,” National Down Syndrome Society President and CEO Kandi Pickard said. “We need a federal law to protect the rights of members of our community and to honor the value they bring to society. Charlotte’s bill reflects the interstate nature of the organ transplant system, recognizes the need for expedited review when access is denied, and establishes a legal framework for individuals and providers to seek truth and reach meaningful resolution.”