“We didn’t get everything we needed,’” said Representative Tim Murphy, Republican of Pennsylvania, the architect of provisions to improve the treatment of mental illness, “but we needed everything we got.” Major provisions of the bill push the Food and Drug Administration to speed the review and approval of drugs and medical devices. Kim Monk of Capital Alpha Partners, a policy research firm for investors, described the bill as “a holiday win for much of the health sector.” Scott Whitaker, president and chief executive of the Advanced Medical Technology Association, a trade group for device makers, hailed the bill for creating “an expedited pathway for breakthrough medical technologies – those that offer the best hope for patients with life-threatening diseases” and few treatment options. In reviewing new devices, the bill says, the F.D.A. shall consider the “least burdensome” means of showing their safety. In considering whether to approve new drugs or new uses for medications, the bill says, the F.D.A. shall pay more attention to “patient experience data” showing the impact of a disease or treatment on patients’ lives, and their treatment preferences. The legislation does not include provisions to rein in prescription drug prices, a significant victory for the pharmaceutical industry. Consultants to the industry said that drug makers had kept a low profile in their lobbying on the legislation, knowing that any conversations on Capitol Hill could turn quickly to drug prices. “When the cost of our prescription drugs is skyrocketing, this bill does nothing to combat excessive prices,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the senior Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee on health and human services. She voted against the measure. “While the bill authorizes $4.8 billion to the N.I.H. over the next 10 years — on average, a mere $480 million a year — this is barely a quarter per year of what the House passed last year,” Ms. DeLauro said. “There is also no guarantee that the appropriators will follow through and provide funding each year.” Representative Kathy Castor, Democrat of Florida, who voted for the bill, said she too wished that more of the money had been guaranteed. “Medical research in America today should not be subject to the whims of congressional budget battles or political fights,” she said.
The US Senate has enacted health care legislation designed to augment funding for disease research , close gaps in the mental health system and overhaul the regulatory system for drugs and medical devices . The 21st Century Cures Act will battle the opioid epidemic and mental health institutes the ability to finance high - risk but high - reward research to take larger steps towards cures and treatments for serious illnesses . A new secretary for mental health and substance abuse will be appointed , and direct agencies to give equal coverage for mental and physical illnesses . The Food and Drug Administration will be able to shorten the length of time for approval for new drugs or new uses for medication , expediting potential cures and life - saving treatments . However , no provision was made for the skyrocketing price of drugs from pharmaceutical companies , and there has been no guarantee made that the $ 4.8bn granted to the National Institutes of Medicine will be paid .