The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes measures to accelerate research and delivery of innovative treatments for mental illness and rare diseases.
“The passage of the 21st Century Cures Act brings us one step closer to having our nation’s laws in line with modern medicine,” said Rep. Denham. “Time is critical for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness and rare diseases, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation without delay.”
Included in the bill were provisions from Rep. Tim Murphy’s (R-PA) Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which will ease access and affordability of mental health services for children and also strengthen programs currently in place with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs so that calls to suicide prevention hotlines are always answered.
The 21st Century Cures Act provides $6.3 billion in new funding to the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration for research and treatment of rare diseases and to fight America’s opioid epidemic.
