"When I really got involved in this was two years ago, when I met a wonderful woman, Trickett Wendler, Tim’s wife, and I just mentioned this new effort I’d heard about with the Goldwater Institute, this ‘right to try,’ Tears started streaming down her face. Just the possibility of giving Trickett some hope: And that’s really what this piece of legislation, what these efforts are really about, is providing patients hope."
– Senator Ron Johnson
Senator Johnson advocates for access to experimental treatments for people like Trickett Wendler and many of others including Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina
Johnson leads letter to FDA underscoring Congressional support for accelerated review of promising therapies
Senator Johnson introduces Trickett Wendler Right to Try Act of 2016. The bill passes the Senate but fails to pass Congress by the end of the 114th Congress
Senator Johnson re-introduces Right to Try legislation – The Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 – in 115th Congress. Right to Try passes Senate.
Senator Johnson urges House of Representatives to pass Senate-approved Right to Try legislation in 115th Congress and receives backing from President Trump.
Right to Try Act passes both the House and Senate. President Trump signs The Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 into law on Dec. 21, 2018
While potential treatments for many terminal illnesses were in the FDA’s clinical pipeline, Trickett was prescribed the same medications her father was given in the 1990s.
Sen. Johnson meets Tim and Trickett Wendler on 5/8/14 at a Constituent coffee in Washington, DC.
“patients and patient advocacy groups remain concerned about the time it takes to approve new treatments through the clinical trial pipeline.”
– Sen. Ron Johnson
“The right to try to save your own life is the most personal right we have. It is unethical and unconstitutional for government to deny patients that right. In America today, terminal patients have the right to hasten their deaths through right to die laws, but they do not have the right to try to fight to live. You can get drugs to end your life but not to save it. I think most of us would agree there’s something desperately wrong with that.”
– Darcy Olsen, President and CEO of the Goldwater Institute
View Committee Hearing“The purpose of this hearing now is to put a face — a human face — so that we in Congress can make some intelligent decisions here, so that we can try and break through the legitimate concerns, whether it’s the FDA or the drug manufacturers."
– Sen. Ron Johnson
Visit Hearing Page“The cost of delays in approving or granting access to therapies is paid in human lives. I urge the FDA to consider those lives when making final decisions on this and all potential life-saving drugs. It is time to give these patients hope."
Read the Statement“We write to express our concern about the ongoing delay to complete review of this drug and to emphasize the urgency with which all applications for drugs addressing debilitating, terminal, and rare conditions must be considered”
Read the Letter“Duchenne is a nearly 100 percent fatal disease, and patients like Jordan McLinn have been crying out for the FDA to complete its review of this promising treatment.”
“I write to express my disappointment that you have declined the committee’s invitation…”
Read Article“For the millions of patients fighting for a chance to try, we must do what we can to help them. Right to Try is not a cure, and it’s not a miracle, but it is a way to hold on to hope,” Johnson said.
“Time after time we were just continually disappointed by the lack of progress being made in this area. So hope starts to fade. Having a bill like this introduced, giving somebody an opportunity for hope, is something that’s incredibly important.” Tim Wendler
Click Here to learn more about Trickett Wendler's story
“This right to try legislation, which basically gives patients the right to medications that can save their life.” – Laura McLinn about her son, Jordan, 7
“This is providing hope for us, for a better life. There shouldn’t be anybody standing in the way.” Matt Bellina
“Please consider joining our bipartisan coalition of senators and thousands of state lawmakers in supporting the principle that terminal patients deserve the right to try to save their own lives. If in your heart you decide you cannot co-sponsor, please allow these people some hope by not objecting to unanimous consent.”
“I am also troubled by comments in the press made by your staff describing this effort as ‘a cheap stunt.’ Nothing could be further from the truth, and those patients crying out for a right to try do not see it as such.
“I am hopeful the reforms and resources authorized in this legislation will accelerate the development of treatments and modernize the federal approval process.”
“There was an effort last night to pass the Trickett Wendler Right to Try Act by unanimous consent. I am disappointed that because of an objection unrelated to the bill, it was not allowed to pass. I am encouraged, however, by the growing list of co-sponsors (43 to date) that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for getting this bill passed on behalf of those with terminal illnesses who simply want the right to try to save their own lives. This momentum will move us into the next Congress where I look forward to working with Leader McConnell and Chairman Alexander to get this important piece of legislation passed.”
“It’s disappointing to see the House fail to pass commonsense legislation that would give the right to hope to so many terminally ill patients in America. I pledge to work tirelessly on behalf of patients and their families until right to try is signed into law.”
Read Article“Well done Wisconsin…Our federal bill is named in honor of Trickett Wendler, who died in 2015 fighting ALS. Now, we need the House to pass the Senate version.”
“Today, Congress restored a little freedom and hope to terminally ill Americans.”
Right to Try is now officially on its way to the President’s desk after being signed by Speaker Paul Ryan.
"Today’s right to try bill signing was a moment of deserved celebration for everyone who fought to return a little freedom and restore hope to terminally ill patients and their families. I applaud and thank them all. However, bureaucracies rarely cede their authority over our lives without a fight. So, we must — and we will — remain vigilant that these hard-won freedoms are implemented and preserved as intended.”
In discussing Sen. Johnson’s efforts, President Trump said “He doesn’t stop. He doesn’t give up.”
