Congressman Pittenger CO-Sponsors Legislation To Speed Medical Innovation

Press Release

Only 500 of the world's 10,000 known diseases have treatments and cures.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), to increase funding for medical research, streamline the process of bringing new drugs to market, and focus on rare diseases which might otherwise not receive attention or funding.

"This legislation will save lives. This legislation will reduce suffering. Long term, this legislation will save money as we find treatments for costly diseases," said Congressman Pittenger. "Today, Congress worked together to benefit the American people, and I will always remember the 21st Century Cures Act as some of the best legislation I ever co-sponsored."

"The 21st Century Cures Act includes bipartisan entitlement reform to offset the cost. As funding for the Innovation Fund sunsets in five years, future renewal will require commensurate cuts in spending to pay for an extension. We have enacted a fiscally responsible plan that could ultimately save millions of lives and immeasurable health savings costs."

In addition to fully funding the Innovation Fund, the bipartisan entitlement reforms will save taxpayers $500 million over the first ten years, and $7 billion over the second ten years, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office and House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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