HI SR14

Urges Congress to pass the Clinical Treatment Act (H.R. 913) to amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act requiring Medicaid to cover routine care costs for patients with life-threatening conditions enrolled in clinical trials.

Notes that approximately 20 percent of Americans receive health insurance through Medicaid, which unlike Medicare and private payers is not federally required to cover routine care costs such as physician visits and laboratory studies for clinical trials.

Identifies that only 10 states, including Hawaii, and the District of Columbia currently cover clinical trials participation for Medicaid beneficiaries, limiting access for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

States that guaranteeing Medicaid coverage for clinical trial participation will increase enrollment of underrepresented populations, improve research validity, and enhance understanding of cancer outcome disparities.

Directs transmission of certified copies to the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, House Speaker, and Hawaii congressional delegation members.