Chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Health Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee recently stated that they are making progress in reaching a bipartisan deal for the 21st Century Cures legislation.
The House passed the bill with significant bipartisan support in 2015. Since then, it has been waiting for a Senate vote.
During the wait, health leaders have been urging the Senate to make a decision.
“We commend committee members from both parties for their ongoing commitment to increase cancer research funding, in particular Chairman Fred Upton and his partner on Cures, Rep. Diana Degette,” Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), said. “Millions of American cancer patients, survivors and their families are depending on congressional action to accelerate progress in developing new diagnostic tools and improved cancer treatments.”
In passing the bill, Senate leaders could benefit countless patients throughout the U.S.
“By providing funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), above and beyond what is included in a year-end appropriations bill, Congress can ensure cutting-edge cancer research makes it from the laboratory to the patients who need it most,” Hansen said. “Earlier this month, hundreds of volunteers from around the country came to Washington to share their personal stories in hopes of spurring congressional action. We believe their dedication helped remind members about the real people and real lives at stake with this legislation.”
