INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – Americans are getting closer to having access to potentially life-saving medical treatment for their terminally ill loved ones. The House of Representatives voted to pass the "Right to Try" bill, co-authored by Indiana Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly.
“Today’s vote in the House moves us one big step closer to getting my bipartisan ‘Right to Try’ legislation across the finish line. I look forward to President Trump signing it into law as soon as possible. Families in Indiana and across the country deserve the right to try and access potentially life-saving, clinically tested medical treatment to treat terminally ill loved ones before time runs out,” Donnelly said.
"Drugs that show promise, that show opportunity, that show maybe there's a cure here, instead of having to wait 2-3 years, our friends and neighbors can get those medications right away," Donnelly added.
Passage of the bill could help Laura McLinn's son Jordan, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease with no cure.
"When we first started this journey, Jordan didn't qualify for a clinical trial for a drug that could slow the progression of this disease," said Indianapolis resident Laura McLinn. "Thankfully, Jordan has made it into a clinical trial. He's 64 weeks in. We travel to Chicago every week. For the first time in the history of his fatal disease, there are lots of drugs coming up through the pipeline. The drug he's trying isn't a cure. It's one thing we think could slow the progression," said Laura McLinn. "We don't know yet, but we want to be ready when there's another drug that we want Jordan to try in case he doesn't make it into the trial."
McLinn said her 9-year-old son his doing well.
"Some boys who are nine with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are already in a wheelchair full time," said Laura McLinn. "Jordan is walking and running and playing. He's really lucky to be trying this experimental treatment. We want to make sure that others have that option too."
"When you're in that life-threatening condition, you'll take a shot at what's out there," said Donnelly.
"Right to Try" now heads to the president's desk.