HB2024 Summary

• Permits manufacturers of investigational drugs and biological products to provide these treatments to eligible terminally ill patients beginning January 1, 2025, without requiring prior FDA approval.

• Establishes eligibility requirements: patient must have a terminal illness, have exhausted all FDA-approved treatment options, be unable to participate in clinical trials within 100 miles or not accepted within one week, receive physician recommendation, and provide written informed consent.

• Allows manufacturers to provide drugs at no cost or require patients to pay manufacturing costs; permits health insurers to deny coverage during treatment and for up to 6 months after, but prohibits denial for preexisting conditions or benefits that commenced before treatment began.

• Protects health care providers from license revocation or suspension by state licensing boards or Medicare for recommending investigational drugs to eligible patients, and prohibits state officials from blocking patient access to these treatments.

• Provides liability protections for manufacturers and other entities involved in patient care from private lawsuits, provided they act in good faith and exercise reasonable care; protects heirs from inheriting debts if patient dies during treatment.