After several years of advocacy led by Mikaela Naylon and others, President Trump has signed the “Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act” into law. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), was included in the funding package H.R. 7148.
The new law aims to improve outcomes for children with cancer by speeding up drug development and addressing gaps in pediatric cancer research. It also extends the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program, which was established under the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act to encourage companies to develop treatments for rare diseases affecting children. Since its inception in 2011, this program has awarded 53 vouchers for 35 different rare pediatric diseases.
Senator Mullin commented on the bill’s passage: “Every child deserves the opportunity to live a long and happy life. Those who face devastating diseases and rare cancers should have a fighting chance. With this legislation, children will finally have the opportunity to explore new treatments that could have a dramatic impact on their disease,” said Senator Mullin. “Today’s bill passage would not have been possible without Mikaela Naylon and her family. She was a fighter and a fierce advocate. Through immense hardship, she showed the world what true strength and courage looks like. She never once wavered in her effort to bring awareness to the importance of patient access to life-changing therapeutics and trials. By passing this historic bipartisan health care priority, Congress continues to invest in American patients and the treatments and cures of the 21st Century. I will never forget Mikaela, and I look forward to the President signing her bill into law very soon.”
Senator Mullin released a video about this legislation on his social media platforms.
Mullin is known for his advocacy on behalf of Oklahoma’s small businesses, rural development, tribal affairs, parental rights in education, and Second Amendment rights (https://www.mullin.senate.gov/about/issues/). He grew up in Westville, Oklahoma; attended Stilwell High School; earned an applied science degree from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology; received an honorary doctorate from Bacone College; served ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives before joining the Senate; maintained an undefeated record as a mixed martial arts fighter; and was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame (https://www.mullin.senate.gov/about/biography/).
