DeGette, Upton statement on anniversary of House passing 21st Century Cures Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) issued the following joint statement today on the four-year anniversary of the U.S. House of Representatives passing their 21^st Century Cures Act:

"From the moment we introduced 21^st Century Cures to its passage in the House four years ago today, our focus has always been on helping patients and their families. In crafting this legislation, we sought to advance medical research, foster a new era of medical innovations, and help find cures to some of the world's cruelest diseases – and that's exactly what we have done.

"Thanks to Cures, we're able to better prevent and screen cancer, we have a better understanding of the human brain, and we're improving the field of stem cell science. We've seen a record number of new drugs approved, including new generics, which have helped lower health care costs for millions of Americans. And we're on the cusp of finding a cure for sickle cell.

"Despite all of these successes, there's still much more work to be done – and that's why, right now, we are beginning to work on new bipartisan legislation that will continue to build upon the progress we have made and help us take the next step toward finding even more life-saving cures."

DeGette and Upton introduced the 21^st Century Cures Act in the House on May 19, 2015. It was passed in the House with strong bipartisan support on July 10, 2015 and signed into law by President Obama on December 13, 2016.