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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 11, 2019 12:46 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Anthony M. DeLuca |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Access to Cancer Clinical Trial Act |
| Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, cancer patients who participated in clinical trials were not guaranteed their insurance would cover the associated costs. A survey conducted by the American Cancer Society, before ACA passage, concluded that 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. Our new law will require insurance companies to provide coverage for direct treatment patient costs received during a cancer clinical trial and is needed to ensure access to cutting edge cancer treatments. These provisions are included in the now enacted Affordable Care Act. However, I am offering 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. 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. This legislation was unanimously approved by the full House in a prior session. Last session it was HB 455. I invite you to add your name as a co-sponsor. Thank you. |
Introduced as HB572