WASHINGTON, DC - Marking a new phase on the path to better, faster cures, the House Energy and Commerce Committee today released an initial discussion document outlining some specific proposals that have been shared throughout the 21st Century Cures initiative. This document seeks to continue the important dialogue of the past year, encouraging more discussion from patients, innovators, researchers, care givers, and other experts on the common goal of accelerating the pace of cures in the United States. This product is the result of the invaluable input shared in response to the five white papers and at the eight hearings and numerous roundtables convened over the past year.
The committee is seeking feedback on the proposals outlined in this document, with continued urgency on behalf of patients who are struggling with diseases today. The committee will continue on an aggressive schedule to introduce 21st Century Cures legislation and ultimately send a bill to President Obama’s desk for signature by the end of the year. The document is a starting point in the legislative process to spur discussion. The inclusion of a policy in this draft should not be seen as an endorsement. Chairman Upton looks forward to continuing to work with both Republicans and Democrats on ideas to provide additional resources, including to the National Institutes of Health. Some ideas may be added while other ideas may be dropped as the discussion moves forward, creating an improved final product shaped by this open and transparent process.
“15 years into the 21st Century, the time for 21st Century Cures is now. Throughout this initiative, we have done things differently. We have been bipartisan from the get-go, we spent a year listening and asking questions, and we have been fully transparent at every step. Transparency and collaboration have been and will continue to be the hallmarks that drive our success," commented full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “These ideas represent an important milestone - a critical first step in a legislative process. Our solutions to boost cures and jobs are starting to take shape as we move from broad principles to legislative language. However, this document is far from the final product. Some things may be dropped, some items may be added, but everything is on the table as we hope to trigger a thoughtful discussion toward a more polished product. #Cures2015 is now underway. Together, we will get this done."
View the first release of legislative ideas HERE.
View a section-by-section of the discussion document HERE.
View a one-pager highlighting the legislative ideas HERE.
