A bill allowing terminally ill Alaskans the ability to try experimental drugs has passed the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. The advance was announced Wednesday by email from the Senate Democrats.
Senate Bill 113 permits the terminally ill to push the boundaries of approved medicine in an attempt to save their lives.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Similar legislation has been approved by 25 other states.
At the same committee meeting, lawmakers approved a bill requiring insurance companies to pay for contraceptives.
Senate Bill 156, sponsored by Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage and the Senate Minority Leader, requires insurers to honor a request for an initial three-month supply of contraceptives (to gauge whether the patient is allergic or has an adverse reaction) then a full year’s supply.
The bill now goes to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
