After a Spanish woman’s euthanasia included allegations of conflicts of interests with organ donation, a Texas lawmaker warns that Texans can be forced under current state law to become an organ donor.
The lawmaker’s warning followed the news of the euthanasia of Noelia Castillo Ramos.
Ramos sought to be euthanized in 2024 after a failed suicide attempt in 2022 left her a paraplegic. Her family fought her decision in the courts, but the Spanish Supreme Court ruled in Ramos’ favor in January. Ramos died on March 26.
Her lawyer has reportedly cited a conflict of interest on the part of the hospital, as her organs were “worth millions in billable charges.”
State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R–Cypress) commented on the situation on social media, warning that Texans may be forced to become an organ donor without consent.
“In Texas a hospital administrator or a district court judge can make you an organ donor without your permission,” wrote Oliverson.
Texas Health and Safety Code lists “the hospital administrator; and any other person having the authority to dispose of the decedent’s body,” alongside a spouse, parents, and adult children as “an agent of the decedent at the time of death who could have made an anatomical gift immediately before the decedent’s death.”
Kimberlyn Schwartz with Texas Right to Life told Texas Scorecard, “In some situations, vulnerable patients risk being seen more for the value of their organs than for their inherent dignity.”
Schwartz pointed out that this isn’t just happening in far away spaces like Spain, but is a threat to Texans as well.
“When serving as patient advocates, Texas Right to Life has witnessed hospitals pressuring families to remove treatment from their loved ones, not because they’re certain that the patient has died or cannot recover, but because they believe the patient’s life isn’t worth living,” Schwartz continued. “At the same time, hospitals and organ procurement organizations argue the patient’s organs can be a benefit to others who have a better quality of life.”
“Laws in Texas and across the country should protect every human life and make sure no one is treated as disposable or valued only for their organs,” added Schwartz.
Oliverson filed legislation in 2017 to end involuntary organ harvesting following a case in which a Harris County judge allowed an unidentified man’s organs to be harvested after attempts to locate relatives who could provide consent failed.
The measure did not pass despite strong support from Texas Right to Life, with Oliverson citing strong lobbying and financial entanglements.
In a post, Oliverson wrote, “When I tried to change this, the director of the largest [Organ Procurement Organization] came to my office and yelled at me: ‘It doesn’t matter what their wishes are, they’re dead, OK?!! We’re either going to put them in the ground or take their organs and then put them in the ground!!’”
Now, Oliverson has posed the question, “maybe it’s time to try again?”
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