WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today passed S. 204, the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017, by a vote of 250-169. This legislation previously passed the Senate on Aug. 3, 2017, by unanimous consent.
S. 204 aims to improve access to investigational treatments for patients with terminal diseases or conditions. In March 2018, the House passed H.R. 5247, its own version of “Right to Try," by a bipartisan vote of 267-149. After allowing the passage of the Senate bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer placed a hold on the House legislation without explanation, preventing it from being considered.
“Today’s vote is a beacon of hope for the patients who are desperately seeking the ‘right to try’ investigational treatments and therapies. While some Senate Democrats want to block vulnerable patients from accessing investigative drugs, we refuse to let them delay any longer," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX). “With the House’s bipartisan support of this bill today, Congress will send groundbreaking ‘Right to Try’ legislation to President Trump’s desk. We look forward to working with the Trump Administration, who have been staunch advocates for this important policy, and the Food and Drug Administration to ensure this soon-to-be law is carried out effectively."
