A bill for an act relating to the right to try Act.
The new provisions also introduce the concept of individualized investigational treatments, tailored specifically to the genetic profiles of patients, which may include innovative therapies such as gene therapy and individualized neoantigen vaccines. This shift not only broadens the definitions in the statute but also underscores the growing emphasis on precision medicine. With these changes, eligible patients and healthcare providers are expected to have more options to explore advanced therapeutic avenues that could potentially prolong life or improve quality of life.
House File 2290, also known as the Right to Try Act, proposes amendments to existing legislation that allows eligible patients to access investigational drugs, biological products, or devices that are currently under FDA-approved clinical trials. The bill expands the eligibility criteria to include individuals with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses, in addition to those with terminal conditions. This change aims to provide a broader scope of patients the opportunity to seek alternative treatments that have not yet received full FDA approval.
One notable point of contention surrounding HF2290 relates to the protective measures for healthcare providers and manufacturers. The bill prohibits state officials or agencies from blocking a patient’s access to investigational treatments, while also ensuring that healthcare providers cannot have their practice licenses or Medicare certifications revoked solely based on recommending such treatments. Critics may raise concerns about the ethical implications and safety of permitting access to unapproved therapies, especially without guaranteed coverage from health insurers, which could place patients in financial jeopardy if such treatments result in complications.