Today, Maureen McBride, Ph.D., the CEO of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act. This legislation prohibits discrimination in organ transplantation against individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities.
“The U.S. organ transplant matching system was created 40 years ago to serve every patient in need, which is why we strongly believe no one should be denied placement on the national waitlist solely because of his or her disability.
We’re pleased to see the House pass this legislation, which advances our shared goal of ensuring equity for patients with disabilities in our nation’s donation and transplant system. Thank you, U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack and Debbie Dingell for your leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure all Americans, regardless of their disability, have equitable access to organ transplants, and urge the U.S. Senate to quickly pass this legislation led by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Maggie Hassan.”
About UNOS
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the mission-driven non-profit serving as the nation’s transplant system under contract with the federal government. We lead the network of transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and thousands of volunteers who are dedicated to honoring the gifts of life entrusted to us and to making lifesaving transplants possible for patients in need. Working together, we leverage data and advances in science and technology to continuously strengthen the system, increase the number of organs recovered and the number of transplants performed, and ensure patients across the nation have equitable access to transplant.
