DeLauro Statement on the 21st Century Cures Act
WASHINGTON, DC (November 29, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the 21st Century Cures Act, which will be voted on in Congress this week.
“The 21st Century Cures Act, in an attempt to expedite the drug and device approval, forgets about those who the science and clinical trials are meant to help—the patients. Rather than protect those who rely on our health care system, this bill reduces the already weak regulations on medical devices, allows drugs to be approved with only limited evidence of the drug’s safety and efficacy, and rushes the use of new and unproven antibiotics.
“Further, at a time when the cost of our prescription drugs are skyrocketing, this legislation is silent on predatory practices by the pharmaceutical industry and it weakens reporting requirements when corporations pay for influence with America’s doctors. And finally, this bill strips away funding from the Public Health Prevention Fund, undermining our efforts to fight the diseases that are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
“While the bill authorizes on average $480 million to the NIH each year for the next ten years, this is a pittance compared to what the House passed last year, which was nearly four times that amount each year. There is also no guarantee that the appropriators will follow through and provide the funding each year, as we have seen with the Public Health Prevention Fund, which has been used to fill appropriations shortfalls. This legislation is the wrong path forward and I strongly oppose it.”
DeLauro is the Senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. She also serves as a senior member on the subcommittee responsible for funding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.