For Immediate Release
January 13, 2010

Contact: Erin VanSickle
Office: (850) 339-3184

FMA Applauds Senator Gaetz for Championing Cancer Patients’ Treatment

Tallahassee—Timothy J. Stapleton, Executive Vice President of the Florida Medical Association, issued the following statement today applauding Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) for his work to negotiate a compact with Florida’s insurance companies.  The compact, which the FMA helped to craft, will protect patients who enroll in cancer-related clinical trials. 

“This compact will ensure that no patient is unfairly denied care because of his or her decision to enroll in a cancer-related clinical trial. The compact not only prevents patients from being denied coverage; it also ensures that clinical trials maintain the participation they need to research new, potentially life-saving treatments.

“We have all been affected by devastation that cancer can cause, whether it is a family member, neighbor, colleague, or friend who is diagnosed.  Thanks to the determination and leadership of Senator Gaetz, those cancer patients who make a decision to participate in cancer-related clinical trials—and possibly save the lives of future patients—can do so without fearing that they might be denied coverage.  We are grateful for Senator Gaetz’s efforts.”