Hensarling Votes for 21st Century Cures Act

WASHINGTON—Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, released the following statement upon House passage of the 21st Century Cures Act:

“In the 20th century, the United States was the global leader in medical research and innovation; our nation’s scientists and medical researchers discovered and developed countless innovative cures, treatments, medical devices, and clinical procedures that changed the course of human history and allowed millions of lives to be saved around the world.  To maintain this leadership position in the 21st century, we must take bold action today.

 “The 21st Century Cures Act is that bold action; it will accelerate the development and delivery of new cures and treatments for patients to transform the way we manage diseases.  It reforms and modernizes our nation’s regulatory infrastructure, getting rid of unnecessary red tape at the Food and Drug Administration.  It also provides additional resources for researchers to propel medical discovery that will speed the development of cutting-edge cures and treatments.  It’s important to note that fiscally-responsible changes have also been made to this bill since its inception.  All additional spending in 21st Century Cures is fully offset and this bill creates no new entitlement spending.

“Additionally, this legislation serves as the vehicle to get bipartisan mental health reform legislation, which was passed by the House earlier this year on a 422-2 vote, to the president’s desk.  The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646), is a major step forward in changing the way our nation’s health care system deals with those suffering from mental illness by making sure they get the care and medications they need – just like any other patient suffering from an illness.”