Tuesday, November 29, 2016

'Cures' Act in Congress Heavily Influenced by Lobbyists

The 21st Century Cures Act now being refined by the lame-duck Congress is one of the most-lobbied health care bills in recent history, with nearly three lobbyists working for its passage or defeat for every member on Capitol Hill.

More than 1,455 lobbyists representing 400 companies, universities and other organizations pushed for or against a House version of a Cures bill this congressional cycle, according to federal disclosure forms compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. 

Work is nearing completion on a compromise expected to come up for a vote Wednesday. While final details are still being negotiated, the House version that passed in June 2015 provided the National Institutes of Health $1.75 billion in additional annual funding over five years. The bill would keep generics off the market longer for drugs treating rare diseases and speed the drug and device approval process. 

Click here for the full article. 

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