Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act

# Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act (HR 7104) — Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would allow terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs and treatments that haven't yet been approved by the FDA. Currently, patients with terminal illnesses can petition the FDA for access to experimental medications through a process called "compassionate use," but this bill appears designed to streamline or expand that access pathway. The exact provisions aren't detailed in the summary, but the bill's intent is to make it faster or easier for dying patients to try treatments that might help them when standard options have been exhausted. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects terminally ill patients and their families who are seeking alternative treatment options.

It could also impact pharmaceutical companies developing experimental drugs, and the FDA, which would need to process requests under any new procedures established by the law. **Current Status:** As of now, HR 7104 is in committee, meaning it's under review and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN). *Note: Full legislative language wasn't available to review specific provisions—for complete details, consult Congress.gov.*.