Like Causes?

Install the App
TRY NOW
Countable Is Officially Causes.com

senate Bill S. 204

Right to Try Act: Should Experimental Treatments be Available to Terminally Ill Patients?

Argument in favor

This bill would give families and individuals access to potentially lifesaving treatments that haven’t been approved by the FDA when they have no alternative. If the patient and physician understand the risks, they should have the right to try experimental treatments.

OlderNWiser's Opinion
···
05/21/2018
As a nurse, i cared for people in unconscionable pain with lingering deaths, loss of hope, loss of dignity. Our bodies should be under our own control, not controlled by men who think they have a right to impose their religious beliefs or pretensions on us. We have the right to try unproven treatments because placebo effect is so powerful and we have the right to choose death without imposing agony on ourselves and our families as much as we have the right to the opposite.
Like (170)
Follow
Share
burrkitty's Opinion
···
05/22/2018
If the patients and families are fully advised of the risk, the odds of success, have exhausted all treatment options, and will not be fleeced by snake oil salesmen...yes. Bodily autonomy. It’s not just a pro-choice argument. My body, my choice. In life and in death.
Like (71)
Follow
Share
BeStrong's Opinion
···
05/22/2018
YES. Yes, for my Mom, who would have chosen to fight when traditional treatments failed. The Right to Try is a moment of hope where there is none. Yes to hope, dignity, compassionate care. *This is not a political issue, right/left. It’s about Informed choice.
Like (58)
Follow
Share

Argument opposed

This bill is too risky because the FDA and clinical trial process exists to prevent unsafe treatments from being used. Besides, insurers may not pay for it and drug companies may not allow the experimental treatment to be used. It gives patients false hope.

Christina's Opinion
···
05/22/2018
There is a reason experimental drugs aren't offered to patients like this. The risks are unknown and could easily make a patient's last moments worse. It also provides false hope that an untested treatment may be some miracle cure while the odds of that are slim. Terminal patients are not lab rats and they should be offered comfort, not untested drugs.
Like (21)
Follow
Share
RadicalModerate's Opinion
···
05/21/2018
Terminally ill patients should be allowed to take any drugs they want. Not just to prolong life but also to ease the transition to physical death.
Like (6)
Follow
Share
Daniel's Opinion
···
05/22/2018
Though I am sympathetic to the terminally ill, the ramifications of moving untested treatment to any population are unknown and potentially dangerous.
Like (4)
Follow
Share

What is Senate Bill S. 204?

This bill — known as the Right to Try Act — would allow the use of experimental treatments that haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by terminally ill patients in accordance with state law. Patients would be required to provide written informed consent that they’re aware of possible risks.

No producer, manufacturer, distributor, prescriber, dispenser, possessor, or user of an experimental treatment could be held liable for providing the patient with the with the treatment. No outcome of the treatment could be used by a federal agency reviewing the treatment to delay or otherwise adversely impact the review or approval of the experimental treatment.

The bill’s full title is the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018.

Impact

Terminally ill patients and their physicians; drug companies and insurers; states; and the FDA.

Cost of Senate Bill S. 204

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) offered the following statement after the Senate passed his bill to expand terminally ill patients’ access to experimental treatments:

“By passing the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 today, the Senate took a strong stand in support of the millions of Americans and their families suffering from terminal illnesses. Patients with terminal diseases ought to have a right to access treatments that have demonstrated a level of safety and could potentially save their lives. I’m proud that today, the Senate stood up for terminally ill patients who just want to reclaim their freedom -- who want the right to hope.”

Some academics whose work involves medical ethics and drug development have circulated a letter opposing the bill, writing in part:

“This legislation sells vulnerable patients and families false hope at the expense of weakening the FDA’s critical role in making sure that all Americans can have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of our medical products.”

This legislation passed the Senate unanimously and has the support of 46 cosponsors including 43 Republicans, two Democrats, and an Independent.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: rawpixel / iStock)

AKA

Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017

Official Title

A bill to authorize the use of unapproved medical products by patients diagnosed with a terminal illness in accordance with State law, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

  • EnactedMay 30th, 2018
    The President signed this bill into law
  • The house Passed May 22nd, 2018
    Roll Call Vote 250 Yea / 169 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Energy and Commerce
      Health
  • The senate Passed August 3rd, 2017
    Passed by Voice Vote
      senate Committees
      Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
    IntroducedJanuary 24th, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    OlderNWiser's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/21/2018
    As a nurse, i cared for people in unconscionable pain with lingering deaths, loss of hope, loss of dignity. Our bodies should be under our own control, not controlled by men who think they have a right to impose their religious beliefs or pretensions on us. We have the right to try unproven treatments because placebo effect is so powerful and we have the right to choose death without imposing agony on ourselves and our families as much as we have the right to the opposite.
    Like (170)
    Follow
    Share
    Christina's Opinion Against
    ···
    05/22/2018
    There is a reason experimental drugs aren't offered to patients like this. The risks are unknown and could easily make a patient's last moments worse. It also provides false hope that an untested treatment may be some miracle cure while the odds of that are slim. Terminal patients are not lab rats and they should be offered comfort, not untested drugs.
    Like (21)
    Follow
    Share
    burrkitty's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    If the patients and families are fully advised of the risk, the odds of success, have exhausted all treatment options, and will not be fleeced by snake oil salesmen...yes. Bodily autonomy. It’s not just a pro-choice argument. My body, my choice. In life and in death.
    Like (71)
    Follow
    Share
    BeStrong's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    YES. Yes, for my Mom, who would have chosen to fight when traditional treatments failed. The Right to Try is a moment of hope where there is none. Yes to hope, dignity, compassionate care. *This is not a political issue, right/left. It’s about Informed choice.
    Like (58)
    Follow
    Share
    Michael's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    They’re dying! What do they have to lose? Of course under single payer they don’t believe that, they think you should “die with dignity” so they don’t have to waste anymore of the states resources on you. Yeah, that’s humane!
    Like (19)
    Follow
    Share
    Mary's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    If you have a terminal illness and are given all the information regarding possible side effects from experimental treatments, you should have the right to make that decision for yourself.
    Like (15)
    Follow
    Share
    Misscrf's Public Comment
    ···
    05/22/2018
    It is the right of every person to seek or deny any care they wish. If the conventional treatments are not an option, they should have the right to try experimental treatments, in an effort to help their health and further scientific discovery of cures and treatments.
    Like (15)
    Follow
    Share
    Edder61's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    Life, liberty and the pursuit of happyness.
    Like (15)
    Follow
    Share
    Debbie's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    Please give terminal patients HOPE!! Hope, even in a placebo, is very powerful and can make patients feel like they are “doing everything possible” to have one more week or month with their loved ones.
    Like (12)
    Follow
    Share
    Kathy's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    I believe this should be an option provided patients are given all of the facts and no unrealistic expectations
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    USAF59's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    YES! I also feel that a person has the right to end their life if they are entering into a terminal stage. Why should their suffering be prolonged?
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    Leon's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    ALL medicine should be available with th the responsibility on the patient if it’s not well tested
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    Ed's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    People can decide for themselves what drugs they want to try. Give them the ability to do so.
    Like (8)
    Follow
    Share
    Alex's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    My body my choice?
    Like (8)
    Follow
    Share
    Leo's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/20/2018
    Better a long shot than certain death.
    Like (7)
    Follow
    Share
    KratomUnited's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    Yes! If patents are terminal they have nothing to lose. And add to it allow terminal patients some dignity and allow doctors to prescribe them what ever they need to ease the end of life. Dying is hard why make it harder? Would you want to suffer at the end of your life? Do unto others as you would have others do unto you, not your donors! Your constituents!
    Like (7)
    Follow
    Share
    Andrew's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/21/2018
    I have every right to try whatever treatment I choose, in spite of terminal illness. Our Federal government should have no say in that, whatsoever.
    Like (7)
    Follow
    Share
    RadicalModerate's Opinion Against
    ···
    05/21/2018
    Terminally ill patients should be allowed to take any drugs they want. Not just to prolong life but also to ease the transition to physical death.
    Like (6)
    Follow
    Share
    Vicki's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/21/2018
    Anyone with a terminal illness should have the right to direct their own care. It should not be in the hands of the government.
    Like (6)
    Follow
    Share
    Tamara's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/22/2018
    Our bodies are our own. We should have the right to seek whatever type of treatment we feel will help us.
    Like (6)
    Follow
    Share
    MORE