Congress Sends Cures Bill To Obama In Rare Bipartisan Feat
The legislation increases funding for disease research, addresses weaknesses in the nation’s mental health systems and vastly alters the regulatory pipeline for drugs and medical devices.
Los Angeles Times:
Senate Passes $6.3-Billion Medical Research Bill And Sends To Obama
Sprawling legislation to increase federal support for medical research, mental healthcare and controlling the opioid epidemic cleared the Senate easily Wednesday and is headed to President Obama’s desk for his signature, delivering a rare bipartisan breakthrough in the waning days of his presidency. The $6.3-billion bill — known as the 21st Century Cures Act — won large majorities in the House and Senate despite warnings from some consumer groups that industry-sought provisions to speed approval of new drugs and medical devices jeopardize patient safety. (Levey, 12/7)