Chairman Johnson Introduces Bill to Help Terminally Ill Patients

Statement

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, had this to say following the introduction of the Trickett Wendler Right to Try Act of 2017 on Tuesday:

"Many of us have felt that sense of desperation -- of urgency -- when we learn that we or someone we love is fighting for their life," said Johnson. "In an era of unprecedented medical innovation, we have to do more to ensure that patients facing terminal illnesses have access to potentially life-saving treatments. These patients don't have the time to wait -- often years and years -- for the FDA to grant final approval. For countless Americans facing terminal illnesses, now is the time to give them a chance to save their lives -- to give them hope."

The Trickett Wendler Right to Try Act ensures that terminally ill patients, their doctors, and pharmaceutical manufacturers are allowed to try investigational treatments when no alternatives exist.

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