As clinical trials have become more complex, with increasing numbers of required procedures and clinic visits, gaining access to promising new treatments has become even more challenging for many individuals. To address these barriers, we propose a Financial Reimbursement and Outreach Program that will increase the number and diversity of participants in cancer clinical trials. The Program will be based at the three clinical sites of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center: UT Southwestern, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and Children’s Health. These facilities provide care to more than 8,000 cancer patients per year in one of the fastest growing, most diverse, and least insur...

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As clinical trials have become more complex, with increasing numbers of required procedures and clinic visits, gaining access to promising new treatments has become even more challenging for many individuals. To address these barriers, we propose a Financial Reimbursement and Outreach Program that will increase the number and diversity of participants in cancer clinical trials. The Program will be based at the three clinical sites of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center: UT Southwestern, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and Children’s Health. These facilities provide care to more than 8,000 cancer patients per year in one of the fastest growing, most diverse, and least insured areas in the country. Dallas County (population 2.6 million) is a minority-majority region, with 29% Hispanic, 17% non-Hispanic Black, and 7% Asian individuals. Over 20% of the population is uninsured, compared to 10% in the U.S. Our Program will provide financial reimbursement for non-clinical costs (e.g., travel, lodging) to patients on cancer clinical trials with household income up to 700% the Federal poverty rate ($180,000/yr for a family of 4). Review and reimbursement of expenses will be overseen by the Lazarex Foundation, which has implemented similar programs in Pennsylvania and California. Our Program will provide financial reimbursement for ~350 patients (80% local, 20% non-local [>50 miles away]). We believe that this intervention will increase the number and diversity of patients enrolled to clinical trials, with the proportion of under-represented minorities projected to increase 30%. Through surveys and interviews, we will study the factors that promote and hinder Program success. We will demonstrate the feasibility and impact of our intervention to healthcare systems and clinical trial sponsors, supporting the development of similar programs throughout Texas and nationwide.

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