WASHINGTON D.C. (WHTC) - President Obama has signed the $6.3 billion 21st Century Cures Act into law.
It gives the National Institutes of Health $4.8 billion for Vice President Joe Biden's so-called "cancer moonshot," as well as brain and "precision medicine" research. Money is also there for mental health and to combat opioid abuse.
Republican Congressman Fred Upton of St. Joseph sponsored the legislation and told WHTC News that that this holiday season as people think about a missed loved one there is now real hope down the road. " Years earlier than it would otherwise be, we're going to have cures for these diseases. Great advances in science, addition funding for the FDA who will now have the talent and capability to be able to research and approve these new drugs and devices that will save us from these awful things."
It also lets the Food and Drug Administration speed the approval of new drugs. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, though critics have framed the bill as a handout to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
- Anthony Pollreisz also contributed to this story.
