Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) released the following joint statement after the House of Representatives passed two health bills today:
“Today, the House of Representatives continued to make progress for the people by passing two important health bills. The first bill holds insurance companies accountable for covering medically necessary treatment for children born with congenital anomalies or birth defects. It will ensure families are no longer unfairly denied coverage for the necessary medical treatments that so many children need for a healthy future.
“The second bill facilitates much-needed research on the health effects of marijuana and cannabis products being legally consumed by millions of Americans. This bill would not only help to fill the glaring gap in research on the safety and efficacy of marijuana products, but also supports our continued global leadership in biomedical research.
“We’re proud of the bipartisan support these bills received and hope to see them signed into law soon.”
The House of Representatives passed the following bills:
H.R. 5657, the “Medical Marijuana Research Act,” was introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and seven other original cosponsors. The bill would streamline the registration process for conducting research with marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act and maintains appropriate oversight and control by the Department of Health and Human Services and Drug Enforcement Administration. The bill also creates a process to facilitate research with state-authorized marijuana. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 343-75.
H.R. 1916, the “Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act,” was introduced by Eshoo and 133 other original cosponsors. The bill would require all individual and group market health plans to cover medically necessary treatment resulting from congenital anomalies or birth defects. The bill would require plans to provide coverage for any service or treatment that is medically necessary to restore or achieve a normal appearance or function of the body. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 310-110.
Original source can be found here.
