Smith: “Americans Deserve Right to Try”

Recently I voted in support of the Right to Try Act of 2018, which expands terminal patients’ access to experimental treatments that could potentially save their lives. H.R. 5247, formally the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018, passed by a vote of 267-149.

Americans deserve the right to try and save their lives. I am disappointed that Democrats voted down this fair and compassionate bill last week. And I’m glad we are considering it again this week.  

A majority of members of congress supported the Right-to-Try legislation. It creates an alternative path for patients who do not qualify for formal clinical trials. It allows patients to have greater access to unapproved therapies and treatments while ensuring proper patient protections are in place. Expediting the process for treatment will give patients more hope for a successful recovery.