Markey and Upton Introduce American Medical Isotopes Production Act

Press Release

Markey and Upton Introduce American Medical Isotopes Production Act

Bipartisan bill addresses looming crisis in nuclear medicine; bill endorsed by medical, industry, and nuclear nonproliferation groups

Today, Rep. Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, and Rep. Fred Upton, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, announced the introduction of the American Medical Isotopes Production Act. The bipartisan legislation will address the looming crisis in nuclear medicine by ensuring that a robust and reliable supply of the most critical medical isotopes are produced in the United States. Within weeks, the current shortage of the primary isotope used for medical procedures is expected to develop into a full- blown crisis. Without this critical isotope, thousands of patients a day will be affected.

Rep. Markey said: "The United States is facing a crisis in nuclear medicine. Because of serious technical problems in other countries, fifty thousand critical procedures performed in this country every day will soon vanish. We simply cannot let this happen. We cannot afford to have American patients held hostage to old and faulty nuclear reactors in other countries."

"The American Medical Isotopes Production Act will ensure that Americans have access to these vital medical procedures by establishing a robust domestic production of molybdenum-99 for medical uses."

Rep. Upton said, "The benefits of nuclear are many, from providing the catalyst for clean power to life saving medicine. Problems abroad have exposed troublesome flaws here at home in nuclear medicine - it is clear that our nation must produce these life saving isotopes to ensure the public health is protected."

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