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Bill

HB 12

Enact the Jeff, Dave, and Angie Patient Right to Try Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sarah Fowler Arthur and 40 co-sponsors

Ohio would allow terminally ill patients to access unapproved experimental drugs and devices outside FDA approval processes, expanding treatment options but raising safety and liability questions.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 12

Legislative bill overview

HB 12 would establish a "Right to Try" law in Ohio, allowing terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs, biologics, and medical devices that have not yet received FDA approval. The bill is named after three individuals (Jeff, Dave, and Angie) and would create a pathway for compassionate use outside standard clinical trial frameworks.

Why is this important

Terminal patients currently have limited legal options to access potentially life-saving experimental treatments. A Right to Try law could expand access for Ohio residents facing end-of-life diagnoses, though it also raises questions about patient safety, informed consent, and how to balance hope against unproven medical interventions.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety and efficacy standards: Experimental drugs lack proven safety data; patients might experience harmful side effects or false hope without established efficacy evidence
  • Pharmaceutical company liability: The bill may need to clarify whether manufacturers face legal consequences if experimental treatments cause severe adverse outcomes
  • FDA authority and coordination: Questions about how state law interacts with federal FDA oversight and whether this duplicates or conflicts with existing federal Right to Try provisions (which have existed since 2018)
  • Cost and access equity: Who pays for experimental treatments and whether this primarily benefits wealthy patients who can afford them

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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