AFP Calls on House to Pass Right to Try
Arlington, VA – Americans for Prosperity today called on House lawmakers to pass right-to-try legislation expected to be voted on early this week. AFP announced it will be scoring the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 (S. 204) on its congressional scorecard and is urging House members to vote “Yes.”
In a key vote letter sent to Representatives Monday, AFP Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner highlighted the bipartisan support right-to-try has already earned, including from the forty state legislatures that have passed similar legislation of their own.
“When facing a life-threatening illness, many patients and their families are left with extremely limited options for treatment. With a drug approval process that can take up to 15 years, and a restrictive and overly complicated Compassionate Use Program, the FDA forces millions of patients to spend precious time waiting for access to care they might need. This Right to Try legislation, however, gives hope to those who need it most.
“Having already been approved in 40 states, Right to Try is a commonsense reform that eases the regulatory burden on terminally ill patients while giving them and their families hope. Members should seize this opportunity to pass a federal reform by supporting this legislation.”
Background:
- January: AFP and Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce launched a digital ad urging Congress to pass federal right-to-try legislation and issued a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden calling for the committee to send the bill to the House floor for a full vote.
- AFP and Freedom Partners also issued a memo on the need for federal right-to-try legislation.
- February: The group called on activists to urge Rep. Walden and the House Energy and Commerce Committee to advance right-to-try legislation out of committee.
- March: AFP thanked a bipartisan group of House lawmakers for supporting right-to-try.
- April: AFP launched a six-figure TV and digital campaign calling on Congress to pass right-to-try legislation.
For further information or to set up an interview, please send an email to GBraud@afphq.org.
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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