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Last updated on Wednesday, March 14, 2018
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) Tuesday voted in favor of the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act, legislation that would allow certain patients with a terminal illness or life-threatening condition to have access to potentially lifesaving drugs when no other alternatives exist. Lacking Democrat support, the legislation did not pass.
"If patients with life-threatening conditions or terminal illnesses do not have much time and want to access a potentially life-saving alternative drug, they should have the freedom to try," said Banks. "I am disappointed that Democrats blocked a proposal that would give patients like Jordan McLinn, an eight-year-old boy in Indiana fighting muscular dystrophy, the chance he deserves. He should have the right to try. As a legislator who values life, I strongly support this legislation to give all Americans the right to try to protect their own life and I will keep supporting it until it becomes law."
Background
This legislation is named after Trickett Wendler, a wife and mother who suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and was unable to access experimental drugs that could have saved her life. The bill is also named after three other individuals - Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn and Matthew Bellina - who are still fighting for their lives today and could potentially benefit from the use of experimental drugs under this bill. Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate over a year ago.
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