$2 Billion Research Boost a Major Milestone in 21st Century Cures Effort - Momentum Builds for #CuresNow

Statement

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) hailed the funding boost for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) included in the recently released year-end spending package. The measure includes a $2 billion funding boost for NIH and a $133 million increase for FDA -- levels near what the bipartisan H.R 6, the 21st Century Cures Act, sought for Fiscal Year 2016. H.R. 6, which included increased funding and important structural reforms, passed the House in July by a vote of 344 to 77. The House is expected to vote on the year-end package Friday.

"It was important that we got the funding for 21st Century Cures that we were looking for 2016," said Upton. "We started this conversation two years ago, and working together - with leading stakeholders, doctors, researchers, agencies, and most importantly, patients - we helped shift the debate back to cures and helping folks. This research boost is an important milestone - we've made great progress, but more work remains as we seek to build upon this momentum to deliver cures now. As the Senate continues to do its work, we will continue to seek out every legislative opportunity to improve the future for patients and cures."

BY THE NUMBERS

H.R. 6 had sought an increase of $1.75 billion per year for five years for the NIH and $110 million per year for five years for the FDA. The year-end spending package includes a $2 billion funding boost for NIH and a $133 million increase for FDA for Fiscal Year 2016.

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