Georgia bill inspired by Jimmy Carter's cancer treatment
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia lawmakers have approved a bill inspired by former President Jimmy Carter's cancer treatment.
The bill prevents insurance companies from limiting coverage of drugs for stage 4 cancer patients.
Carter, now 91, announced in August that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer that had spread to his brain and would begin receiving doses of Keytruda. The newly approved drug helps his immune system seek out cancer cells appearing in his body.
Carter said in December that a scan of his brain detected no sign of cancer cells. He has continued treatment.
Republican Rep. Mike Cheokas from Americus is the bill's sponsor. Cheokas said no one facing cancer that has spread should have medical treatment options limited by insurance providers.
The bill now goes to the state Senate for review.