Andrew DeMeo | Support HB1735

Members of the House Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, My name is Andy DeMeo, and I am writing in support of HB 1735-FN. I run a New Hampshire–based media brand focused on optimism and progress, and much of my work centers on how people respond when systems do not fully meet human need. HB 1735 speaks directly to that gap. It recognizes that for individuals facing terminal or severely debilitating illness, time, optionality, and agency matter deeply. After reviewing this bill, I believe the opportunities it creates outweigh the risks it manages. This legislation thoughtfully expands New Hampshire’s Right to Try framework to include certain qualifying severe illnesses, not just terminal diagnoses. That distinction is important. People living with chronic, debilitating conditions may suffer profound loss of quality of life even when death is not imminent. HB 1735 acknowledges that reality while preserving strong safeguards, including physician oversight, informed consent, and alignment with existing federal definitions and protections. What I appreciate most is that this bill does not force participation by anyone. It does not require manufacturers to provide treatments, insurers to cover them, or physicians to recommend them. It simply removes state-level barriers so that patients, doctors, facilities, and manufacturers can choose to act responsibly when standard options have been exhausted or are unavailable. I am also supportive of the bill’s clarity around liability and regulatory protection. By shielding good-faith actors while explicitly excluding willful or reckless misconduct, HB 1735 creates the legal certainty necessary for innovation without sacrificing accountability. In my view, this bill reflects a humane and pragmatic approach to health care policy. It expands choice, respects patient dignity, and positions New Hampshire as a state willing to responsibly support people facing the hardest medical circumstances. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to recommend HB 1735-FN as Ought to Pass. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully, Andy DeMeo New Hampshire