The Society’s grassroots advocacy helped defeat an amendment that would have made a new funding stream for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary rather than mandatory and clear the way for passage of the 21st Century Cures Act.
After a year and a half of consideration, the U.S. House of Representatives was ready to vote on the 21st Century Cures Act the second week in July. The Cures legislation has been a bipartisan effort to increase funding for medical research overhaul drug development and innovation to get lifesaving cures to people who need them faster.
Prior to the vote, however, an amendment was offered by Representative Dave Brat (R-VA) to make the Innovation Fund, which was created to provide $1.75 billion per year for the next five years to the NIH as well as some additional funding for the FDA, discretionary rather than mandatory. The amendment would not only remove the assurance of increased funding for the NIH, but would almost certainly result in funding cuts to the other agencies in the public health service and jeopardize the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act. For these reasons, the Society opposed the amendment and encouraged its members to participate in an online advocacy campaign. In the end, the Brat Amendment failed in a 141-281 vote and 21st Century Cures passed by an overwhelming majority.
The Society is grateful to the House leadership and the members and staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for their vision and dedication to bringing 21st Century Cures legislation to a vote. We look forward to working with them as this legislation moves forward. The Society also thanks all of its members who participated in its advocacy efforts. Your voice made a difference!
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