Born and Jagler Introduce Legislation Inspired by Local Family

Madison – Today, State Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) and Senator John Jagler (RWatertown) were joined in Madison by a local family to testify on legislation that they authored which prohibits an individual from being denied an organ transplant on the basis of a disability. Rep. Born and Sen. Jagler authored the bill after being contacted by the Brownsville family about their situation.

“This legislation will have a meaningful impact for real people across our state,” Rep. Born said. “It will help ensure individuals with disabilities are afforded the same consideration for life-saving medical care as those without disabilities. I am proud to be an advocate for this bill and for families like the Kulczewski’s.”

Rep. Born and Sen. Jagler authored Assembly Bill 539/Senate Bill 538 after hearing from constituents that their son was ineligible for an organ transplant due to a disability that is unrelated to his transplant
needs. Malix Kulczewski, who has Down syndrome, was born with a heart condition. When discussing options with his medical team, Malix’s parents were informed that he would not be eligible for a heart
transplant due to having Down syndrome.

“Everyone deserves a chance at leading a healthy and happy life,” said Sen. Jagler. “Those needing a transplant face enough challenges and being discriminated against because of a disability shouldn’t be one
of them. My daughter Grace, who has Down syndrome, is thriving. She has grown into a wonderful member of the community and runs her own business. If her life had been cut short because of being
refused an organ transplant it would have been a tragedy beyond comprehension.”

The Assembly Committee on Health heard from Tom and Michelle Kulczewski, Malix’s parents, who traveled to the State Capitol to testify at the hearing about what the legislation means to their family and
why they contacted their legislators to introduce a bill.

“Imagine being in a room of doctors, making the biggest decision of your life, then being told a viable option cannot even be considered on your fourth child, but would be considered on any of your other
three children. That is discrimination,” Tom said.

“That is what we are asking the State of Wisconsin to end,” Michelle added. “End the practice of discrimination of organ transplantation on the basis of a disability”.