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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 31, 2017 02:31 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Anthony M. DeLuca |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Cancer Clinical Trial Act (HB 230 of 2013) |
In the near future, I will be reintroducing HB 230 of 2013; legislation that was unanimously approved by the full House in a prior session. The bill will require insurance companies to provide coverage for direct treatment patient costs received during a cancer clinical trial. These provisions are included in the now enacted Affordable Care Act, however I am re-introducing this legislation now, to ensure that regardless of the fate of the Federal act, Pennsylvanians who have cancer and enter into what can be life-saving clinical trials, will receive proper coverage and care. Insurance companies generally pay for routine care for cancer patients. However, if a patient enters into a clinical trial – before the ACA - this routine care payment could have been denied. Prior to the ACA being enacted, according to one survey conducted by the American Cancer Society, 60 percent of patients reported concerns over having their insurance coverage denied, as a major reason for not signing up to take part in a clinical trial. We need to provide peace of mind about this coverage, and any possible changes to it in the future for cancer patients who agree to go through cancer clinical trials. Clinical trials are vital to providing advanced treatments and saving the lives of Pennsylvanians, and will hopefully produce the cure for cancer that we so vitally need. I invite you to add your name as a co-sponsor to this legislation. |
Introduced as HB455