[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           INTRODUCTION OF THE RIGHT TO TRY CLARIFICATION ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 2022

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Right to Try 
Clarification Act. This legislation would expand access to life-
changing treatments by including Schedule I substances that have 
completed phase 1 clinical studies in the Right to Try Act.
  Oregon has a long legacy of ensuring that end-of-life patients have 
access to the full spectrum of treatment options to alleviate their 
condition and improve their quality of life. Patients and doctors 
deserve to discuss treatments--including psilocybin--that researchers 
find provide immediate and sustained relief from pain, anxiety, and 
depression for people battling terminal illness.
  Federal restrictions have obstructed access to end-of-life care for 
too long, this legislation will change that and ensure that all 
patients have the Right to Try.
  The psychedelics laws in this country are broken, including our laws 
governing patients' access to new and promising end-of-life care. 
Forty-one state legislations have passed Right to Try laws, in addition 
to our federal Right to Try statute, to allow terminally ill patients 
access to treatments, including psilocybin, that are still in 
investigational stages. Both psilocybin and MDMA have demonstrated 
tremendous care potential in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials.
  The Drug Enforcement Agency, however, has refused to accommodate 
Right to Try laws, denying terminally ill patients their freedom to 
elect their preferred treatments. These patients deserve to be able to 
discuss and pursue treatments with their doctors that researchers are 
finding provide immediate, substantial, and sustained relief from 
anxiety and depression for people battling terminal illness. That is 
why the Right to Try Clarification Act is necessary to ensure patients 
have the Right to Try these treatment options.
  I look forward to working with Senators Cory Booker and Rand Paul and 
my co-leads Representatives Nancy Mace, Madeline Dean, Andy Biggs, and 
Luis Correa to enact this legislation and clarify and strengthen the 
Right to Try.

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