Houchin-Rulli Bill Will End Organ Transplant Discrimination

This urgent issue was brought to light by the heartbreaking case of 12-year-old Adaline Deal, of Batesville.

INDIANAPOLIS - Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-9) and Congressman Mike Rulli (OH-6) are taking action to stop hospitals from denying life-saving organ transplants based solely on a patient’s COVID-19 vaccination status.

Last Friday, they introduced the COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that ensures no American is refused a transplant over their personal or religious medical decisions.

This urgent issue was brought to light by the heartbreaking case of 12-year-old Adaline Deal, of Batesville, who was denied a heart transplant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital simply because she had not received the COVID-19 vaccine. Adaline, who suffers from two serious heart conditions, was adopted from China at age four by her loving parents, Jeneen and her husband. 

“Denying a child a life-saving transplant over a COVID-19 vaccine is not science, it’s cruelty,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “Hospitals exist to save lives, not impose medical mandates on vulnerable patients. Families deserve the freedom to make the best medical decisions for their loved ones, without fear of being blacklisted from life-saving care. This bill will put an end to this unjust practice.”

Congressman Rulli added: “This is sick. This is inhumane. This is unacceptable. No child should be left to die because of a rigid and politically-driven hospital policy. This bill puts an end to these disgusting, heartless mandates and makes sure no one is ever denied a transplant over their personal or religious beliefs.”