“We must make a commitment today to provide each and every American patient with options and access to all medical treatments available,” Jones said.  “Families must have the opportunity to examine every possible alternative in order to make the best choice for their individual needs.  We cannot afford to make exceptions when human life is at stake.”
 
Congressman Jones joined Chairman Burton in introducing a bill to return treatment decisions back to the patient.  The Thomas Navarro FDA Patient Rights Act, would ensure patients and their families have information on every treatment option available with full disclosure on those options from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, the Act would also serve to ensure scientific research advances based on safety and efficacy, without preventing patient access to treatments.

The Thomas Navarro FDA Patient Rights Act was named for 4-year old Thomas Navarro, whose access to his family’s choice of treatment was blocked by the FDA.  When Thomas was diagnosed with medullobastoma brain cancer last fall, his family conducted research and determined what they felt was the best course of treatment for their son.  The FDA refused Thomas access to this treatment because he did not first undergo radiation and chemotherapy to treat the cancer, a treatment option that can have potentially debilitating side effects.  

“The government has no business preventing patient access to treatment.  It is time we give patients the information they need to make the choice that’s best for them,” Jones said.