Ohio House passes cancer-trial bill unanimously

The Ohio House passed Senate Bill 186 without a no vote yesterday (Source: "Cancer-trial bill closer to forcing insurers to pay," The Columbus Dispatch, April 30, 2008).  This bill, sponsored by Senator Steve Stivers, R-Columbus, requires health insurance plans to pay for cancer-related services for people in clinical trials that they provide for members undergoing typical treatment.  These services includes services such as vists to the doctor, hospital stays, and imaging tests.  According to Dr. Michael Caligiuri, CEO of the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University, insurers deny coverage for these typical services to about 20 percent of people apply to participate in clinical trials.

The bill returns to the Senate for a final concurrence vote, which should occur today.

P.S. The Senate approved this bill on April 30th, sending it to the Governor for his signature.