WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representative Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, chief author of Minnesota's 2015 "Right To Try" law, will join President Donald J. Trump at tomorrow's ceremony where the President will sign into law the bill that was sent to his desk last week by Congress.
"This legislation will give hope to thousands of Americans who otherwise would have nowhere to turn," Rep. Zerwas said. "As the chief author of Minnesota's Right-To-Try legislation, I'm overjoyed that people across the nation will be given the same chance. It's an honor to join President Trump for this momentous occasion—this is truly a victory for the American people."
Representative Zerwas chief authored SF100, Minnesota's Right To Try Act, which was passed by a 123-0 vote in the House, and 60-4 in the Senate on its way to being signed into law by Governor Dayton in 2015. The bill allows terminally ill patients to access drugs and experimental treatments that have completed the first stage of FDA trials but have not received full approval for general use. At the time, Minnesota was the 16th state to pass Right To Try legislation. That number has since grown to more than 40.
Growing up, Zerwas was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, and wasn't expected to live past the age of seven. Now 37, Zerwas credits his turnaround to numerous surgeries, including an experimental surgery that was not yet approved in the United States, which inspired his interest in authoring Minnesota's Right to Try bill.
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