Senate backs ‘right to try’ bill on 34-1 vote, sends it to Otter

The Idaho Senate has voted 34-1 in favor of the “Right to Try” bill proposed by Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, that would allow terminally ill patients to use investigational drugs that haven’t yet gained full FDA approval, at their own risk. They could do so only at the direction of their doctor, and manufacturers would have to provide the drug free or at cost.

Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise, urged the Senate, “Give your constituents, friends and family a powerful gift and that’s the right to try.” Twenty-four states have passed “Right to Try” laws in the past two years, including Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Montana. The bill, HB 481 , has 12 legislative co-sponsors from both parties. It earlier passed the House with just one “no” vote; the measure now heads to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk.