Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the ability for patients to seek investigational drugs, biological products, or devices.

Highlights:

• Defines “serious illness” as “any disease, medical condition, or surgical condition that entails extreme pain, permanent disability, or a condition that is considered by a treating physician to not be reversible even with administration of current federally approved and available treatments” (Sec. 34-51-1).

• Establishes difference between advanced (progressive, potentially terminal) and serious (not necessarily terminal) illnesses (Sec. 34-51-1).

• Requires treating physicians rule out alternative treatments, in addition to FDA-approved, prior to seeking investigational drugs (Sec. 34-51-3(2)).

• Requires treating physicians attest that investigational drugs may “possibly” (amended from “likely”) improve patient life expectancy, prognosis (Sec. 34-51-3(2)).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the ability for patients to seek investigational drugs, biological products, or devices.

Highlights:

• Defines “serious illness” as “any disease, medical condition, or surgical condition that entails extreme pain, permanent disability, or a condition that is considered by a treating physician to not be reversible even with administration of current federally approved and available treatments” (Sec. 34-51-1).

• Establishes difference between advanced (progressive, potentially terminal) and serious (not necessarily terminal) illnesses (Sec. 34-51-1).

• Requires treating physicians rule out alternative treatments, in addition to FDA-approved, prior to seeking investigational drugs (Sec. 34-51-3(2)).

• Requires treating physicians attest that investigational drugs may “possibly” (amended from “likely”) improve patient life expectancy, prognosis (Sec. 34-51-3(2)).

Full Bill Text