The House has overwhemingly passed the 21st Century Cures Act, H.R. 6, a broad piece of legislation aimed at streamlining the approval process for medical drugs and devices.
The bill, passed by a 344-77 vote on July 10, also aims to spur innovation in biomedical research and to boost funding to the National Institutes of Health.
Changes made prior to the bill’s introduction to the House floor raised the ire of some legislators and included a reduction in NIH funding and the inclusion of Hyde Amendment language that prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions except in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. The bill as it stands is not expected to be picked up in the Senate, which is expected to craft its own legislation.
Alicia Ault/Frontline Medical News
“I am concerned that the very goal of this legislation set out to achieve, to encourage biomedical innovation and the development of new treatment and cures is undermined somewhat by the reduction in funding for NIH from $10 billion to $8.75 billion,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said during the floor debate on July 9.
Despite the concerns over the changes to the bill, support for the bill was overwhelmingly voiced throughout the debate.
“It is time now that we as a nation got serious about curing the major diseases – not treating the diseases, but curing the major diseases – that are affecting this country and affecting us personally,” said House Republican Doctors’ Caucus Chairman Phil Roe, R-Tenn. “I am more passionate about this bill and excited about passing the 21st Century Cures bill than anything I have voted on since I have been in the Congress.”