The House of Representatives recently completed the last step in processing a bill that will compensate patients with rare diseases involved in clinical trials. The Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015 would allow compensation of up to $2,000 to participants. With the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2009 expiring within the next month, this new Act would create a more permanent answer to the problem.
Without the passing of the bill, people may be more reluctant to participate in such trials due to the lack of compensation and the ineligibility to receive medical benefits from the government. Many organizations, such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, are in support of the bill and look forward to the removal of barriers involved with clinical trials, but first President Obama must approve and sign off. Click here to read more in an article by Zachary Brennan in raps.org.