Relating To Access To Treatment For Terminally Ill Patients.
If enacted, HB 629 will update Chapter 321 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to establish a clear framework for granting eligible patients access to investigational treatments. Eligibility criteria stipulate that patients must have a terminal illness, have explored all other approved treatments, and must provide informed consent for the experimental treatment. Importantly, the bill includes provisions to prevent blockage of access to these investigational options by state personnel and protects healthcare providers from potential repercussions related to their recommendations.
House Bill 629 aims to provide terminally ill patients in Hawaii with access to investigational drugs, biological products, and devices that have not yet received approval from the FDA. The bill recognizes the urgent need for patients facing terminal illnesses to explore potentially life-saving treatment options that are otherwise unavailable. By allowing these patients to utilize treatments that have completed initial clinical trial phases, the bill seeks to alleviate the suffering of those who have exhausted other approved therapies.
While proponents argue that the bill empowers patients and fosters innovative treatments, concerns exist regarding potential patient risks. The legislation allows patients to assume all financial liabilities associated with investigational drugs, raising ethical questions about who bears the cost if the treatment leads to adverse effects or death. Moreover, critics may voice concerns about the adequacy of informed consent processes, ensuring that patients fully understand the potential risks and benefits of opting for unapproved treatments. This aspect of the bill might engender debate, balancing patient autonomy against public health safety.