Congressman Fred Upton’s 21st Century Cures legislation may have found a new boost in the US Senate. The plan to expedite the approval process for new drugs and medical devices while increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health passed the House last year, and Upton expects the Senate to start moving parts of it next week. It’s found new momentum since President Obama called for an initiative to cure cancer during his State of the Union. Upton says the president has already set up a committee to pursue that “moonshot.”
“It’s chaired by Vice President Biden,” Upton told WSJM. “He and I chatted earlier this week. They had their first meeting Monday, and I pledged my support to help. I think this is an initiative that ought to be included in our 21st Century Cures legislation.”
Upton says the cancer moonshot can be rolled into one comprehensive piece of legislation with 21st Century Cures. He can even see a bill being sent to the president’s desk by Memorial Day. However, many Senate Republicans remain unhappy with the plan’s proposed spending increases.
