Clinical research is a public necessity and those who contribute are performing a crucial public service.
So, why are we making it harder for people to contribute?

In February 2024, “The Harley Jacobsen Clinical Trial Participation Income Exemption Act” (H.R. 7418) was introduced in the House. The bi-partisan bill, co-sponsored by PA Congressional leaders Mike Kelly (R) and Chrissy Houlahan (D), seeks to exclude all payments to participants in clinical trials from being treated as taxable income.

The Harley Jacobsen Clinical Trial Participant Income Exemption Act aims to:

  • Eliminate the reporting requirements for both the patient/caregiver and the 1099 reporting requirement of the payor. This will protect participants who rely on social welfare programs such as SNAP, WIC, and others from exceeding income requirements.
  • Increase diversity of the enrolled-patient populations across all trials, aligning with the strategic goals of the NIH and FDA.
  • Provide greater access to experimental therapies to the least-empowered Americans (those with disabilities, minority populations, chronic physical illness, low-income populations, low-education level, etc.).

The Impact of Taxation for Recipients of Low-Income Subsidies:

Many living at or below the poverty line rely on social welfare programs. By treating clinical trial payments as taxable income, we are deterring participation by those who rely on public assistance because eligibility for these programs is typically based on an individual’s gross and net income and available resources.

Why Are We Supporting the Harley Jacobsen Act over the Clinical Trial Modernization Act?

The Clinical Trial Modernization Act limits the amount excluded from gross income to $2,000.

Psychiatry trials are the highest paid trials with larger than average payments and larger completion bonuses due to the nature of these studies, including in-patient study requirements.

Not only would the Clinical Trial Modernization Act not help with psychiatry trial participation, but it could actually hurt these trials by potentially causing the payments to be reduced.

What Can YOU Do To Support This Important Legislation?

1. Sign the petition on Change.orgto show your support for the Harley Jacobsen Act. Share the petition with your network and colleagues.

2.  Sign on the Mural Health website, supporting the Harley Jacobsen Act.

This is a long process, but well worth the effort. The more support we rally, the sooner we can enact change.

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