Starting November First, Wisconsin cancer patients involved in clinical trials will be protected from losing their insurance coverage. The state's "Cancer Patient Protection Act" prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage for individuals involved in clinical trials. Alison Prange, with the American Cancer Society, says the act allows patients to get involved in a clinical trial without insurance providers denying them coverage for treatment related to their illness. Before the act, such coverage could be denied because of the experimental nature of clinical trials.
Prange says the act gives new hope for cancer patients, who may have avoided clinical trials in the past because they risked losing their health insurance. She says that benefits patients here in the state, and those around the world who will benefit from the research done here.