Access to Clinical Trials - ACT
Clinical trials provide a pathway to improved care, more effective
medication and ultimately, cures, for a variety of diseases.
Insurance companies often make exclusions for routine care - medical
costs that are incurred regardless of participation in a clinical trial
- that are easily
misinterpreted and cost time, money and chances for recovery for
patients in Oregon. Twenty five states have mandated insurance
coverage for routine care costs. To date, Oregon has not. We seek to change that
issue. Oregonians deserve access to clinical trials without threat of
loss of coverage.
The Access to Clinical Trials Coalition - ACT - has been formed to
address this issue. We have introduced legislation for the 2009
session. It is time that Oregonians are
able to pursue clinical trials, per their doctor's recommendation,
without the confusion of current policy issues. Clearly, Oregon
deserves to be a research leader, clearly Oregonians deserve optimal
care, and clearly improved access needs our support.
