Reps. DeGette, Bucshon Seek Stakeholder Input on Next-Generation Cures Bill
On June 6, Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Representative Larry Bucshon (R-IN) announced a request for input (RFI) from stakeholders on the next-generation Cures bill. As previously reported by COSSA, the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act provided an increase of funding for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve drugs and devices with greater urgency, provided resources to states to assist in fighting the opioid epidemic, and provided a boost for mental health care. In 2021, Rep. DeGette introduced the Cures 2.0 Act to build upon the first but the legislation was never fully passed (see previous COSSA coverage). However, notable objectives from the bill were passed separately, including the development of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) (see previous COSSA coverage).
In reference to the potential development of further legislation, Reps. DeGette and Bucshon said the following: “The 21st Century Cures Act has been tremendously successful in accelerating scientific understanding, spurring innovation, and bringing new treatments to patients. Today, we are beginning a new chapter in the legacy of 21st Century Cures, and we look forward to hearing ideas on how Congress can help power our research infrastructure and deliver treatments to the patients who need them.” To this end, Rep. DeGette and Bucshon have released a letter detailing the importance of the Cures Act and requested stakeholder input to the following questions:
- Do the policies included in Cures 2.0 that were passed separate from the bill meet the needs that the original Cures 2.0 bill aimed to address?
- What components might be missing from the original bills that are essential for further progress?
- What additional actions are needed to enhance or improve the effectiveness of the passed legislation?
Responses should be submitted by August 2 to cures.rfi@mail.house.gov.