21st Century Cures Act Passes U.S. House of Representatives

Signaling that Congress is serious about investing in and improving access to health care, Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) drafted and promoted their joint legislation through the committee and onto the House floor, passing the bill and taking bold steps to increase advances in treatments and cures for all Americans.

Highlighted within the 21st Century Cures Act are the following provisions. 

$10 billion in mandatory funding for the National Institutes of Health 

Furthering the development of precision medicine, shaping the future of treatment for patients with cancer through the Innovation Fund

Transparency requirements for expanded access programs

In a press release, the committee pointed to more than 700 organizations—ONS included—commending the initiative’s goals.

As an original supporting organization of the 21st Century Cures Act, ONS submitted a letter encouraging passage of the bill. The committee has sought ONS’s insight on healthcare priorities as it debated the legislation’s myriad workforce, research, and access issues.

The act now moves to the U.S. Senate under the leadership of Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN). It will be introduced with companion legislation, Innovations for Healthier Americans, that offers a similar effort to enhance health care. 

As this important and historic legislation moves forward, ONS will continue to champion the issues that are important to oncology nurses and patients. Learn more about ONS’s health policy efforts.

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