U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after Chairman Fred Upton released a discussion document on his 21st Century Cures initiative:
“I am disappointed that the discussion document released today by Chairman Upton does not reflect true bipartisan collaboration.
“In its current form, I am concerned that the nearly 400 page draft could create more problems for our health care system than it solves. Further, the draft does not include any real dollars to fund additional basic research at the National Institutes of Health. Increased funding was a common theme during last year’s public engagement, from both sides of the aisle, and is fundamental to truly advancing 21st century cures.
“Moving forward, I stand ready to work with Chairman Upton, and all Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, to find bipartisan consensus legislation that would pass the House and the Senate and ultimately be signed by the President."
