Pallone, Green and DeGette: NIH Needs Long Overdue Funding to Fulfill Promise to Patients
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Republicans filed a substitute amendment to H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. In a last minute change, the new language fell $1.25 billion short in mandatory funding for research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
"The 21st Century Cures Act has the ability to bring new treatments and cures to millions of patients across our country who are suffering from rare diseases. By incorporating the patient perspective, removing barriers to research collaboration, and modernizing clinical trials, 21st Century Cures will spur health care innovation and keep our country on the cutting edge of biomedical research." said Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Pallone, Subcommittee on Health Ranking Member Green and Rep. DeGette.
"Given this, we are disappointed that after careful consideration and countless hours of working closely together to strengthen this bill and ensure the NIH receives a full $10 billion, this amendment falls short. We stand with millions of patients, ready to work with our Republican colleagues to find a new method to pay for the funding hole that unfortunately remains for NIH research. We remain fully committed to pass a bill that lives up to the promise of 21st Century Cures."
The House Committee on Rules is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 8, at 3 pm to consider the rule for the changed bill before it proceeds to the House Floor.