Relating To Access To Treatment For Terminally Ill Patients.
Once enacted, HB2024 will amend Chapter 321 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, enabling manufacturers of investigational drugs to provide their products to eligible patients starting January 1, 2025. The bill stipulates that manufacturers can either offer drugs without compensation or charge for the costs associated with their use. It also allows health insurers the option to cover these investigational drugs but grants them the ability to deny coverage for a period after patients start these treatments, which emphasizes the risks involved in such decisions.
House Bill 2024 aims to improve access to investigational drugs and biological products for terminally ill patients in Hawaii. The bill acknowledges the stringent approval processes mandated by the FDA, which can severely limit treatment options for patients whose health may not allow them to wait for these long approval times. It aligns with similar legislation found in 41 other states, dubbed right-to-try laws, that allow terminally ill patients to seek potentially lifesaving treatments that are not yet fully approved by federal authorities.
Key points of contention surrounding HB2024 include the protections it offers to healthcare providers, which prevent licensing boards from penalizing them for recommending investigational products. Critics may argue that this could lead to potential abuses in prescribing practices, while advocates highlight the need for patient autonomy in determining their treatment options. Additionally, the requirement for written informed consent emphasizes patient awareness of risks associated with using investigational products, although this may place additional burdens on both patients and healthcare providers navigating these decisions.