Bill Expands Experimental Treatments In Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Terminally-ill patients in Louisiana, with permission from their doctors, will be able to use experimental drugs or treatments that haven't been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed the bill by Republican Rep. Julie Stokes, of Kenner. It prohibits the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners from taking action against a doctor authorizing the experimental treatments. Insurers would not be required to cover treatment.

The bill, called the Right to Try Act, becomes law Aug. 1.

In a statement, Jindal says it gives people suffering from a terminal illness "every opportunity to live life to the fullest."

Colorado has enacted a similar law. The legislation is pushed by the Goldwater Institute, a conservative think tank.