Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act

This legislation aims to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the context of organ transplants and related medical services. It applies to a wide range of covered entities , including licensed healthcare providers and transplant hospitals, ensuring that their practices do not unfairly exclude individuals based on a disability. Specifically, the bill prohibits these entities from denying a qualified individual eligibility for, or access to, an organ transplant or related services, refusing referrals, or denying placement on a transplant waiting list solely due to their disability. A qualified individual is defined as someone who meets eligibility requirements with or without a support network, auxiliary aids, or reasonable modifications to policies. An important provision allows a disability to be considered only if a physician, following an individualized evaluation, deems it medically significant to the receipt of the organ transplant or services. However, the bill explicitly states that an individual's inability to independently comply with post-transplant health requirements cannot be considered medically significant if they have a necessary support network to assist them. Furthermore, covered entities are required to make reasonable modifications to their policies and practices and provide necessary auxiliary aids and services , unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the services or impose an undue burden. Individuals alleging violations can seek expedited resolution through the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, without limiting other existing legal remedies. The act's provisions apply comprehensively to all stages, from evaluation and listing to the transplant itself and post-transplant treatment.