- Introduced -

SB 827 - This act requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for routine patient care costs incurred as the result of clinical trials undertaken to treat cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Entities providing clinical trial treatment must have sufficient expertise and training to treat a sufficient number of patients. There must be equal to or superior non-investigational treatments alternatives available before providing clinical trial treatment. Clinical trial coverage shall include coverage for drugs and devices approved by the FDA, whether or not the FDA has approved the drug or device for the patient's particular condition.

The clinical trials will only be covered if they are approved or funded by the following entities:

1) One of the National Institutes of Health (NIH);

2) An NIH Cooperative Group of Center;

3) The FDA in the form of an investigational new drug application;

4) The federal Department of Veteran's Affairs of Defense;

5) A Missouri institutional review board which has a multiple project assurance contract approved by the Office of Protection for the Research Risks of the NIH;

6) Research entities that meet the criteria for NIH Center support grant eligibility; or

7) A panel of qualified experts in clinical research.

Every June 1st, health insurers must submit reports on its coverage of clinical trials during the previous year to the Director of Insurance. The Director shall submit an annual summary report to the Speaker of the House and the Pro Tem of the Senate. Reports shall be available to the public upon request.

STEPHEN WITTE