Proposal removes disabilities as factors in organ transplant decisions
(Harrisburg) — The story of a Schuylkill County man has led to a proposal to reshape one piece of the organ transplant world in Pennsylvania.
Penn Health declined to comment on the specifics of the case.
After hearing Corby’s story, Democratic state Senator John Sabatina is proposing to remove mental or physical disabilities as a factor in whether someone gets an organ transplant.
Sabatina says hospitals that make similar decisions should have to justify them using medically significant reasons.
He says his measure could change Corby’s life.
“It allows him to be put on the waiting list as you or I would be able to be put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. As much as the ADA has progressed in the last 25 years, we still have some catch up to do,” he says.
Sabatina’s bill orders courts to make organ transplant disputes a priority.
It also stops hospitals from denying organ transplants to medically or physically disabled people if a support system will help them meet treatment requirements after the surgery.
The proposal is currently in a House committee.
New Jersey and California have both approved similar legislation in recent years.
This article appeared originally on WITF.org.
