Kat Cammack: “I thank my colleague, Representative Bucshon, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand here today and…”

“I thank my colleague, Representative Bucshon, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand here today and debate H.R. 2706, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act. Of course, I don't think there is a whole lot of debate that is going to happen here today because I hope it will be unanimous. For Members who don't know, this bill is named after Charlotte Woodward, an adult woman with Down syndrome who received a lifesaving heart transplant over 12 years ago. Sadly, as has been mentioned, not all individuals with disabilities have that same opportunity. That is why we are here to consider this bill today, to ensure that all Americans, regardless of the disability they may have, have the same opportunity to receive a lifesaving organ transplant. When I first learned of this issue, I could not believe that this practice was happening here in our country. However, after learning more about the issue and hearing stories from advocates, including Charlotte herself, they were advocating for change. I was shocked and horrified to learn that there were no protections for these individuals.…”