Rep. Brandon Vick has introduced legislation this legislative session that would give terminally ill patients access to experimental treatments and investigational medical products.
House Bill 1242, deemed “Right to Try,” would authorize an eligible patient and his or her physician to request a manufacturer of an investigational product make it available for treatment. An agreement between the patient, physician and manufacturer would also be required by the legislation.
“People should be able to work with their doctors and decide what potentially life-saving treatments may benefit them. This is a quality of life issue,” said Vick, R-Felida. “We introduced the bill late in the session last year. We are hoping with some additional time and fine-tuning we have a better chance to get it through the legislative process.”
“Right to Try” has been signed into law in 31 states, including Idaho and Oregon.
“More than one million people in our country die from terminal illness every year. Those who are gravely ill must have access to new treatments and medical products,” said Vick. “It is a quality of life issue. We need to make sure government rules and regulations are not getting in the way of those who are just trying to survive and function with a reasonable quality of life.”
The bill has been referred to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, but has yet to be scheduled for a public hearing.
The 2017 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn April 23.
For more information about Rep. Vick, visit: www.representativebrandonvick.com.
