Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced H.R. 6534, the Stop Arduous Vaccine Enforcement (SAVE) Act, with Reps. Ben Cline (VA-06), Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Bob Good (VA-05), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), and Chip Roy (TX-21). Cline is the primary sponsor of the bill and Davis is an original co-sponsor. The SAVE Act would prohibit organ transplant centers from denying an individual from receiving or donating an organ solely based on whether he or she is vaccinated against COVID-19. This legislation comes in response to several reports from across the United States of individuals being removed from the organ transplant list or moved to “inactive” status as a result of being unvaccinated.

“Life-saving care should not be denied to those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19,” said Rep. Davis. “The SAVE Act will make sure that everyone has access to give and receive the gift of organ donation. While I advocate for all those who are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine I do not believe that healthcare procedures should only be provided to those who are vaccinated."

"It is unimaginable that organ transplant centers would deny American citizens life-saving medical procedures solely for being unvaccinated against COVID-19," said Rep. Cline. "The SAVE Act ensures that no one is denied an organ transplant or donation based on their vaccination status. Getting vaccinated is a personal choice and should not be mandated. This legislation is not anti-vaccine, it’s about making sure individuals get the treatment they need."