In a unique contract among patient advocate groups, employers and insurance companies, a coalition agreed Wednesday to cover routine patient costs associated with cancer clinical trials.
Clinical trials are experiments and studies involving people that test new cancer drugs and study the effectiveness of existing treatments. These trials are only initiated after extensive laboratory study. They are the main method in which researchers can develop newer, more effective, less invasive cancer treatments.
Cost is a major reason people choose not to participate in clinical trials, which many insurers do not cover.
“Our coalition agreed that the coverage issue needed to be addressed if we hope to increase our numbers in clinical trials, and ultimately, save more lives,” former president of the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology, Dr. Phil Stella, said.
House passes cyber-security bill
The House of Representatives in Washington passed the Cyber Security Research and Development Act with a 400 to 12 vote margin. The bill is designed to promote research in the field of cyber security and attract more senior researchers and students by creating new research and education programs at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
“Technological advancements in computers, software, networks and information technology have made us more vulnerable to disruption,” Rep. Nick Smith, R-Addison, said in a news release. “We can anticipate attacks launched in cyberspace. The need has never been greater.”
Tyson may be barred from Michigan under new bill
Boxer Mike Tyson is the target of a new bill introduced Friday by Rep. Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, R-Farmington Hills.
Under House Bill 4128, boxing license applicants would be required to demonstrate “good moral character.” The bill establishes a state Unarmed Combat Commission to enforce rules and other regulatory frameworks regarding the sport.
Tyson was scheduled to fight champion Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas but was denied a license by the Nevada boxing commission.
Schwarz opens campaign office
State Sen. John Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, opened his campaign headquarters in Lansing Friday.
“All roads in front of me point to the governor’s office and a better Michigan,” Schwarz said. “I am very excited to have my campaign headquarters up and running.”
Schwarz, a medical doctor and veteran, will be contending with Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus for the Republican candidacy for Michigan governor.
