In a full committee markup today, the Energy and Commerce Committee passed bipartisan solutions to improve mental health care, lower drug costs for patients, and support medical innovation.
For example:
The FDA Act includes many provisions led by House Republicans to lower drug costs, spur more lifesaving innovation, secure America’s supply chains, protect access to breakthrough therapies, and improve people’s lives.
The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act is the first major effort to date to address the mental health crisis caused by government driven lockdowns and school closures during the pandemic.
Key excerpts from Leader Rodgers:
FDA Act of 2022: “In the FDA Act, we are taking action to lower health care costs, spur more innovation, secure our supply chains, and provide hope to patients who believe in the promise of American innovation for new cures, breakthrough drugs, and access to treatments. For them, we are committed to delivering the user fee agreements on time.”
Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act: “Children especially are more stressed, anxious, and depressed than ever because of school closures. Our message to them must be that they matter. Our solutions will help communities make a difference in people’s lives to turn despair into hope.”
“I want to personally thank Chairman Pallone wholeheartedly for leading this package with me that includes provisions by members on both sides of the aisle. I am grateful for your leadership on mental health and your commitment to working with me.”
ARPA-H: “Because Congress already appropriated money for this, now is the time for us to provide guardrails for the agency to be a success. After extensive negotiations with the majority, the amendment today will put ARPA-H on the right path with a targeted mission, increased accountability and transparency, and a laser focus on promoting American innovators.”
LEGISLATIVE VOTE SUMMARY
- H.R. 7667, Food and Drug Amendments Act of 2022, was favorably reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 55-0.
- H.R. 7666, Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022, was favorably reported, as amended, to the House by a voice vote.
- H.R. 7233, the “Keeping Incarceration Discharges Streamlined for Child and Accommodating Resources in Education Act” or “KIDS CARES Act,” was favorably reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 52-0.
- H.R. 623, Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, was favorably reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 53-0.
- H.R. 3771, South Asian Heart Health Awareness Act of 2021, was favorably reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 31-24.
- H.R. 5585, the “Advanced Research Project Agency-Health Act” or “ARPA-H Act,” was favorably reported to the House, as amended, by a vote of 53-3.
Letters of Support:
- Children’s Hospital Association
- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
- Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance
- The Kennedy Forum (and Many Others)
- Treatment Advocacy Center
- Association for Accessible Medicines
- Biotechnology Innovation Organization
- EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases
- Giskit Pharma and ExEm Foam, Inc.
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (And 86 Others)
- Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance
- National Organization for Rare Diseases
- National Taxpayers Union
- The Newborn Foundation (And 9 Others)
- GE Healthcare
- AHIP
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute
- Inseparable
- Mental Health Liaison Group
- Sandy Hook Promise
- The Kennedy Forum (And Approx. 77 Others)
Original source can be found here.
