Covering clinical trial costs would be burden

Reps. Tyler Olson and Doug Struyk (Jan. 3) advocate that Iowa pass a law, similar to those in other states, that would require insurance companies to cover the cost of clinical trial management, particularly cancer clinical trials. I spent a career in pharmaceutical industry, including clinical trial management, and what they discuss can be a barrier to participation, but there are other barriers.

However, passing the law, wonderful though it may seem, will cover only a small percentage of people. About two-thirds of employees are covered by employer-provided insurance in multistate corporations. Multistate corporations provide insurance that is not covered by any of the state laws, and are exempt from any state mandates.

The Olson-Struyk suggestion, wonderful though it may seem, will be a cost-burden to small businesses and the self-employed, while exempting the large businesses from those costs.

This is essentially a tax on small businesses, while exempting large businesses. This is best solved on the national level.

Niles Ross

Cedar Rapids