DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- The Iowa House has approved a measure requiring insurance companies to offer coverage for routine medical procedures for cancer patients who are enrolled in clinical trials.
The House on Monday sent the measure to the Senate and likely approval on a 92-0 vote.
Cancer advocates and the insurance industry have been negotiating details for months. Backers say as few as 3 percent of adult cancer patients take part in clinical trials because there's no coverage.
The compromise called for the coverage to be required only for routine medical procedures the patient would experience if not enrolled in a trial. Backers say that would encourage clinical trials without saddling insurance companies with massive costs.
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