WASHINGTON — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called on his fellow senators to support the Trickett Wendler Right To Try Act of 2016, which he introduced in May of this year.
The bill currently has 41 cosponsors: two Democrats and 39 Republicans. The bill ensures that terminally ill patients, their doctors, and pharmaceutical manufacturers are allowed to try investigational treatments when no alternatives exist.
“[This] week, on behalf of millions of terminal patients and their families, I intend to go to the floor to ask for passage of this bill,” Johnson wrote in the letter to his colleagues. “Please consider joining our bipartisan coalition of senators and thousands of state lawmakers in supporting the principle that terminal patients deserve the right to try to save their own lives. If in your heart you decide you cannot co-sponsor, please allow these people some hope by not objecting to unanimous consent.”
The letter can be found here and below:
September 23, 2016
Dear Colleague:
I am writing to ask you to join me and 41 bipartisan co-sponsors in supporting S. 2912, the Trickett Wendler Right to Try Act of 2016. Since 2014, 31 states have enacted “right to try” laws with overwhelming bipartisan support—with over 97 percent of legislators voting in favor of the laws. These laws are aimed at giving terminally ill patients, who have exhausted available options, a pathway to accessing experimental treatments.
Yesterday the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee heard powerful testimony from witnesses who spoke of a simple belief that patients who have no alternatives and are facing death should have the ability to try to save their own lives. We heard testimony from ALS patient Matt Bellina, a 32-year old retired Navy pilot who told us: “at some point in the near future, I’m going to suffocate under the weight of my own chest,” yet he doesn’t qualify for a clinical trial because he’s too sick. Committee members also heard from Texas oncologist Dr. Ebrahim Delpassand, who is treating patients under his state’s right to try law despite the risk of consequences from federal authorities. These patients, whose chance of survival would be, according to him, “close to none,” are alive thanks to his treatment.
Unfortunately, physicians like Dr. Delpassand in the 31 states with right to try laws lack the certainty necessary to treat patients. In order for patients, doctors and manufacturers in those states to fully utilize the capabilities granted in these laws, certainty must be provided that the federal government will respect the state laws. That is why The Trickett Wendler Right to Try Act of 2016 is of the upmost importance. No one can guarantee a miracle cure. What we can do is give patients and families the freedom to decide for themselves how to fight their illnesses. With no other options, they at least have the right to hope.
Next week, on behalf of millions of terminal patients and their families, I intend to go to the floor to ask for passage of this bill. Please consider joining our bipartisan coalition of Senators and thousands of state lawmakers in supporting the principle that terminal patients deserve the right to try to save their own lives. If in your heart you decide you cannot co-sponsor, please allow these people some hope by not objecting to unanimous consent.
Sincerely,
Ron Johnson
The Trickett Wendler Right to Try bill text can be found here.
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