Rep. Chu Supports Improvements in Medical Innovation
Washington, DC – Today, the House passed the bipartisan H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill will improve medical innovation by speeding up the development and approval for critical medical treatments and cures. The bill also increases funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), who cosponsored the bill, released the following statement:
“I voted in favor of this bipartisan legislation, because it will make much needed improvements to the development of treatment and cures for diseases that afflict millions of people all across the country. Families around the country are suffering while the treatments that could help are waiting approval. Now, thanks to this bill, we can expedite that process and get lifesaving medicines, technologies, and treatments into communities and into the hands of those who need them. While I am disappointed that Republicans used this legislation as a vehicle for unpopular policies that restrict access to abortion for women and voted for an amendment to get rid of these harmful policy riders, I support this bill because I know that there is an important role for Congress in supporting innovations in medicine that could save the lives of millions.”
The 21st Century Cures Act included Hyde Amendment language that restricts abortion access for those who use publicly funded healthcare. Rep. Chu supported an amendment introduced by Barbara Lee (CA-13) that would eliminate the Hyde Amendment language in the 21st Century Cures Act, but that amendment was defeated. H.R. 6 passed by a vote of 344-77.