An effort to get the US Senate to pass a so-called Right to Try bill failed Wednesday when Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid blocked the effort, because a hearing was never held to review the legislation and only two of the 42 sponsors was a Democrat.
“It hasn’t been through the committee process as we were promised given the outstanding issues dealing with this policy,” Reid, a Nevada Democrat, told the Senate after Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) attempted to win unanimous consent from the Senate for his legislation. “There are major players who have not had an opportunity to say what’s wrong with the bill.” (You can watch the video here).
Johnson later sent Reid a letter to note that, in fact, two hearings were held to review the bill. “It is beyond disappointing that Sen. Reid would ignore the pleas of those with terminal illnesses to score a political point,” Johnson later said.
About the Author Reprints
Reid is correct. Per the table 100% of expanded access single patient non emergency requests were approved in 2010. That’s correct. ZERO denials. Absolutely no regulatory oversight.
http://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/mchbadvisory/heritabledisorders/meetings/twentyfourth/investigationaldrug.pdf