21st Century Cures

A Bipartisan Law to Accelerate the Pace of Cures and Medical Breakthroughs in the 21st Century

I joined Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) to launch 21st Century Cures, a new initiative that aims to accelerate the pace of cures and medical breakthroughs in the United States. The legislation became law in December of 2016 and will help America maintain its place as the health care innovation capital of the world. 

Health research moves at a rapid pace, but the federal drug and device approval process is in many ways a relic of another era. Our nation has dedicated scientists and bold leaders at agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but when our laws don’t keep pace with innovation, we risk falling behind.

That is why, for the first time ever, Chairman Upton and I took a comprehensive look at what steps we could take to accelerate the pace of cures in America. This bipartisan effort took a broad look at the full arc of the process – from the discovery of clues in basic science, to streamlining the drug and device development process, to unleashing the power of digital medicine and social media at the treatment level.

We sought the input of a number of experts including thought leaders from the Administration, academia, research, and industry to dig deep into how we can effectively and efficiently tackle some of the more complex challenges in medicine. 

Learn more about 21st Century Cures and how you can contribute to the conversation below.

Hearings and Forums

• 21st Century Cures Roundtable (May 6, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Report on Drug Innovation (May 20, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: Examining the Role of Incentives in Advancing Treatments and Cures for Patients (June 11, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures Roundtable: Digital Health Care (June 24, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: Modernizing Clinical Trials (July 9, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: Incorporating the Patient Perspective (July 11, 2014)
• 21st Century Technology for 21st Century Cures (July 17, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: Examining Barriers to Ongoing Evidence Development and Communication (July 22, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures Roundtable on Personalized Medicine (July 23, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: Examining the Regulation of Laboratory Developed Tests (September 9, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures Roundtable (September 10, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: Examining Ways to Combat Antibiotic Resistance and Foster New Drug Development (September 19, 2014)

White Papers

• 21st Century Cures: A Call to Action (May 1, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: An Update on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology 2012 Report on Propelling Innovation (May 12, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures--Patients (May 16, 2014)
• 21st Century Cures: Digital Health Care (June 17, 2014)

In The News:

• Science Magazine: In U.S. House, Bipartisan Pair Launches Quest for Speedier Cures
• The Hill: House panel asks sick patients for policy suggestions
• CQ Roll Call: House Energy & Commerce on the #Path2Cures
• Start Tribune: Mayo Clinic sees bright future for personalized medicine
• Policy and Medicine: “21st Century Cures” Initiative Seeks To Accelerate the Pace of Cures and Medical Breakthroughs; Highlights Importance of Technology and Collaboration
• Mayo Clinic Blog: Roundtable Discussion on 21st Century Cures
• Pharmacy Times: Congress’ Health-Innovation Focus Means Opportunities for Pharmacy
• Drug Store News : NACDS expresses support for 21st Century Cures bipartisan initiative
• Holland Sentinel - Our View: Bring drug approval process into the 21st century
• U.S. House Passes Medical "Cures" Bill Championed by Diana DeGette
• 21st Century Cures a Bipartisan Battle on Disease
• 21st Century Cures Act's Passage Also Suggests a Cure for Gridlock

Press Releases:

• DeGette Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Experts on Personalized Medicine
• DeGette Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Experts in Digital Health Care
• DeGette Calls for New Incentives to Spur Drug Innovation
• Upton, DeGette Launch Multi-Year, Collaborative Initiative to Accelerate the Pace of Cures in the 21st Century
• Life-Saving Legislation, 21st Century Cures Act, Advances in House
• House Overwhelmingly Approves 21st Century Cures Act