Equal Access to Therapeutics Act

Equal Access to Therapeutics Act

This bill prohibits using race or ethnicity as a factor in decisions about an individual's access to COVID-19 treatments (e.g., monoclonal antibody therapies).

Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may not adopt any policy or guidance that allows race or ethnicity to be factored into such decisions. Furthermore, the Secretary of HHS shall be personally liable for the death of any individual who is denied access to COVID-19 treatments pursuant to a prohibited policy or guidance.

The bill also prohibits hospitals or other health care providers that have policies restricting access to COVID-19 treatments based on race or ethnicity from receiving federal funds.

Bill 117 HR 6625, also known as the Equal Access to Therapeutics Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to improve access to innovative therapies for patients with serious or life-threatening diseases.

One of the key provisions of the bill is to streamline the process for the approval of new therapies by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This would involve creating a new pathway for the expedited review of certain drugs that show promise in treating serious illnesses. The bill also aims to increase transparency in the FDA's decision-making process, ensuring that patients and healthcare providers have access to information about the safety and efficacy of new treatments.

Additionally, the Equal Access to Therapeutics Act seeks to promote competition in the pharmaceutical industry by allowing for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs, which are often expensive and difficult to access. This would help to lower costs for patients and increase access to life-saving treatments. Overall, the Equal Access to Therapeutics Act is designed to improve access to innovative therapies for patients with serious illnesses, while also promoting competition and transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. If passed, this bill could have a significant impact on the way new treatments are developed and approved in the United States.