Provides for rights of qualified organ transplant candidates who have a disability
Impact
The bill aligns with existing federal laws, like the Americans with Disabilities Act, yet seeks to address the discrimination still faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing life-saving medical procedures. It establishes that individuals with disabilities are qualified recipients of anatomical gifts, ensuring they are not placed at a lower priority on transplant waiting lists simply due to their disability. The legislation mandates reasonable accommodations from healthcare providers to facilitate access to vital medical services for these individuals.
Summary
House Bill 143, known as 'Evie's Law', is a legislative act aimed at ensuring the rights of potential organ transplant recipients with disabilities. The bill prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all stages of the organ transplant process. It specifically makes it unlawful for healthcare entities to deny organ transplants or related medical services solely based on an individual's disability, ensuring that such individuals are treated equitably in healthcare decisions regarding organ transplantation.
Sentiment
The sentiment around HB 143 appears largely positive, particularly among advocates for disability rights, who view the bill as a crucial step towards equitable healthcare access. Stakeholders in the healthcare community have expressed support for the bill, acknowledging the need to eliminate discriminatory practices. However, there are concerns about implementation and whether all healthcare entities will comply fully with these requirements, particularly in relation to the proper evaluation of medical significance concerning disabilities.
Contention
Key points of contention may arise from the bill's requirements for healthcare providers to adjust their policies and practices to comply with the nondiscrimination mandates. Some may argue about the practicality and impact of these changes on healthcare operations. Additionally, discussions may focus on the challenges faced in determining medical significance and adequate support systems for individuals with disabilities in the post-transplant care process, as the bill emphasizes the need for tailored assessments rather than blanket assumptions.
Relating to health care; to prohibit discrimination against an individual with a disability in receiving an anatomical gift or organ transplant based on his or her disability; and to require health care providers and organ transplant centers to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability in medical need of an anatomical gift or organ transplant.
Relating to health care; to prohibit discrimination against an individual with a disability in receiving an anatomical gift or organ transplant based on his or her disability; to require health care providers and organ transplant centers to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability in medical need of an anatomical gift or organ transplant; and to provide disabled individuals the right to equitable relief.
Relating to health benefit plan coverage of a transplant of an organ that originated from or is transplanted in a country known to have participated in forced organ harvesting.