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Right to Try

A doctor with a stethoscope, against a backdrop of the state of Texas. | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | ChatGPT | Midjourney

Right to Try

Texans Gain the Right To Try Individualized Medical Treatments

Ailing Americans are winning expanded freedom to try experimental medicine.

J.D. Tuccille | 6.6.2025 7:00 AM

packs of pills | Illustration: Lex Villena; Dml5050 | Dreamstime.com

Health Care

Arizona Expands the Right To Try New Medical Treatments

It’s a small step toward breaking down barriers between patients and innovative medicine.

J.D. Tuccille | 8.17.2022 7:00 AM

spnphotosnine984295 | SplashNews/Newscom

Health Care

Republicans Still Have No Idea How To Talk About Health Care

Even when they have a good idea, the argument gets muddled.

Peter Suderman | 8.25.2020 1:32 PM

upiphotostwo736521 | str/UPI/Newscom

Reason Roundup

White House Recommends Against Grocery and Pharmacy Trips While Trump Says Go Ahead and Try Hydroxychloroquine

Plus: shutdown suits, the pantry police, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.6.2020 9:45 AM

RTT_SS

Reason Podcast

Right to Try Gives Terminal Patients Access to Potentially Life-Saving Treatments Without FDA Permission

An interview with Christina Sandefur of the Goldwater Institute, which was instrumental in passing the new federal law.

Zach Weissmueller | 4.26.2019 1:30 PM

Large image on homepages | Sipa USA/Newscom

State of the Union

Trump's 'Right To Try' Law Has Helped at Least Two People So Far. Give Credit Where It's Due.

But there's a long way to go before patients have control over their own medical care.

Mike Riggs | 2.5.2019 10:35 PM

Large image on homepages | Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

Right to Try

A 'Right to Try' Bill Is Finally Heading to Trump's Desk

It's still not clear whether pharmaceutical companies will work with patients outside the FDA's supervision.

Mike Riggs | 5.24.2018 4:55 PM

Large image on homepages | Maska82 / Dreamstime.com

Right to Try

Congress Approves 'Right to Try' Bill for Critically Ill

President expected to sign legislation allowing earlier access to experimental medication.

Scott Shackford | 5.22.2018 6:35 PM

Large image on homepages | Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

Right to Try

What If Trump Signs a Right-to-Try Law and Nothing Happens?

Federal legislation for right-to-try may not have the right incentives.

Mike Riggs | 3.27.2018 11:35 AM

Large image on homepages | Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

Right to Try

'Right to Try' Bill Fails, Despite Concessions

"The House will not let this be the end," Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday night.

Mike Riggs | 3.14.2018 11:30 AM

Large image on homepages

Right to Try

Right To Try Laws Are a Fine Start. Comprehensive Reform of the FDA's Drug Trials Would Be Better.

The drug regulator's clinical trials process for approving drugs needs a complete overhaul.

Ronald Bailey | 2.2.2018 1:35 PM

Large image on homepages | Pattarachai / Dreamstime.com

Right to Try

Trump Promotes 'Right to Try' Experimental Treatments for Terminally Ill Patients in SOTU Address

A bill in Congress would follow the states and allow greater access.

Scott Shackford | 1.30.2018 10:15 PM

Large image on homepages

Right to Try

Congress Could Let All Patients Have the 'Right to Try' Without Going Through the FDA's Complicated Application Process

The FDA is slashing paperwork requirements for expanded access trials in response to state-level "right to try" laws. That's good, but it's not enough.

Eric Boehm | 10.3.2017 5:25 PM

Large image on homepages | Maska82 / Dreamstime

Right to Try

Will All Seriously Ill Americans Be Granted the 'Right to Try' Experimental Meds?

Senate approves bill giving some earlier access to treatment.

Scott Shackford | 8.4.2017 1:01 PM

Large image on homepages | David Mizoeff/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Right to Try

Charlie Gard's Case Shows Why Government Should Stay Out of End-of-Life Choices

Assisted suicide, experimental medical treatments, and slippery slopes

Scott Shackford | 7.3.2017 2:30 PM

Large image on homepages | Freethink

Right to Try

Scott Shackford on AIDS History and 'Right to Try' Activism at the Launch of Freethink

Scott Shackford | 8.15.2016 7:20 PM

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Right to Try

The FDA Is Still Denying Terminally-Ill Patients Access to Experimental Drugs

And why the agency's Expanded Access program doesn't work.

Alex Manning | 2.21.2016 5:00 PM

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Civil Liberties

Should Terminal Patients Be Allowed to Try Experimental Drugs?

"Right to try" laws offer hope for people trying to save their own lives.

Alex Manning | 12.23.2015 12:00 AM

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Politics

Jerry Brown, Humanitarian, Vetoes "Right to Try" Legislation That Might Help Terminally Ill

In a new legislative low, Gov. Moonbeam nixes reform that would help dying patients live longer, more comfortably.

Nick Gillespie | 10.12.2015 12:27 PM

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Politics

Dying Patients vs. the FDA: 'Right to Try' Laws Give Hope - And Time

Dave Huntley was a father, husand, & triathlete who contracted Lou Gehrig's Disease. But the FDA was his biggest foe.

Alex Manning | 9.24.2015 12:00 PM

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