BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana’s Right to Try Act, which gives terminally-ill patients access to experimental drugs and treatments, may soon be expanded to include robotic devices that help people unable to talk or write.
Passed in 2014, the act allows terminally-ill patients with permission from their doctors to use treatment methods that aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Insurers don’t have to cover the costs.
The expansion proposed by Kenner Rep. Julie Stokes is championed by beloved former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason, who has ALS and uses similar technology to speak.
Supporters of Stokes’ bill hope it will improve the quality of life for patients.
The House-backed bill heads to the full Senate after getting backing Wednesday from the Senate health committee.
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House Bill 179: www.legis.la.gov
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