Providing for Consideration of Senate Amendment to H.r. 34, Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015, and Providing for Consideration of H.r. 6392, Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act. It is vital that we ensure that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have the resources they need to continue to advance biomedical and mental health research, and improve access to innovative treatments for some of the most debilitating illnesses.

The additional $4.8 billion authorized for the NIH to improve biomedical research and treatment innovations is commendable, particularly the $1.8 billion for the Vice President's Cancer Moonshot, in line with the President's budget request, that will advance critical life-saving research. I fully support the Cancer Moonshot's mission to speed up the advancement of other treatments that will help individuals and families who are fighting diseases or disorders. As a Cancer survivor, I know all too well the value of these investments and how many lives can be saved as a result.

Additionally, the allocation of $1 billion to step up federal efforts combating the growing opioid and heroin epidemic is a positive step towards better treatment of addicted individuals. Every day, families across California and the nation are torn apart by a loved one or neighbor abusing opioids. Hopefully our Republican colleagues consider this the first of many steps to advance meaningful policies designed to erode the strong grip these drugs have on so many Americans.

Unfortunately, key aspects of this legislation fall short and are clearly designed to benefit Big Pharma over American consumers, patients, and doctors. I am deeply troubled by the Majority's decision to drastically reduce new NIH funding in the legislation compared to H.R. 6, stifling new research and vital progress. Additionally, it is disappointing that an amendment I authored, which would have helped to improve doctor-patient communication around the diagnosis and treatment of severe or chronic illnesses, was not included in this legislation.
This oversight shows the lack of understanding of the importance of communication between patients and doctors in a patient's treatment and recovery.

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