SB136

Senate Bill 136 establishes the 'Right to Try Individualized Investigational Treatment Act' in Arkansas. The bill creates a legal framework allowing patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to access experimental treatments, such as individualized gene therapies, that are unique to the patient's genetic profile. To be eligible, a patient must receive a recommendation from a physician, have considered all FDA-approved treatment options, and provide detailed informed consent. The legislation specifies that manufacturers are not required to provide these treatments, and insurance companies are not mandated to cover the associated costs. It also provides legal immunity for medical professionals and entities involved in administering these treatments, provided they act in good faith and without gross negligence. Furthermore, the bill prohibits state agencies from penalizing medical professionals or facilities for participating in these treatments. Finally, it explicitly states that the Arkansas Medicaid program is not required to provide additional coverage for these investigational treatments.