Right to Try 2.0: Patients Push for Faster Access to Lifesaving US Cures

A growing chorus of patients and lawmakers are intensifying calls for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to dramatically streamline access to experimental cancer treatments, with a new push for 'Right to Try 2.0' legislation. This comes as terminally ill Americans continue to face bureaucratic hurdles, often forcing them to seek potentially lifesaving, US-developed therapies abroad — a situation critics decry as an 'American cure' being out of reach on home soil. The debate centers on a patient's right to medical autonomy versus the FDA traditional role as a gatekeeper ensuring drug safety and efficacy before widespread availability. The original federal Right to Try Act, signed in 2018, allowed patients with life-threatening conditions to access drugs that had cleared Phase I clinical trials but lacked full FDA approval. However, its practical impact has been limited, with many drug manufacturers still preferring the FDA more structured Expanded Access program, and the law not obligating companies to provide treatments. Now, the newly introduced Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act in the U.S. Congress in June 2026 aims to update federal law for a new era of personalized medicine, including gene-based therapies. These cutting-edge treatments often struggle to fit into conventional, 'one-size-fits-all' regulatory frameworks, leaving patients with rare and ultra-rare diseases in a difficult position. Looking ahead, advocates like the Goldwater Institute are championing these expanded 'Right to Try 2.0' laws, which have already passed in 17 states, arguing they are crucial for keeping pace with modern medical innovation. While the FDA has also been expanding clinical trial eligibility and fast-tracking approvals through pathways like Accelerated Approval for various oncology drugs recently, the legislative push signals continued dissatisfaction with the pace of access. The coming months will test whether Congress can overcome traditional regulatory caution to grant patients greater medical freedom, potentially reshaping how breakthrough treatments reach those most in need.