U.S. Senate joins House to pass sweeping new health bill

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS | Wed Dec 7, 2016 | 3:47pm EST

U.S. Senate joins House to pass sweeping new health bill

By Toni Clarke

The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to support sweeping legislation that will reshape the way the Food and Drug Administration approves new medicines.

It will also provide funding for cancer and Alzheimer's research, help fight the opioid epidemic, expand access to mental health treatment and advance research into precision medicine.

Two years in the making, the 21st Century Cures Act was passed last week by the House of Representatives and will now go to President Barack Obama to sign into law. Supporters say it will speed access to new drugs and devices, in part by allowing clinical trials to be designed with fewer patients and cheaper, easier-to-achieve goals.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Critics of the legislation say it gives massive handouts to the pharmaceutical industry and will lower standards for drug and medical device approvals.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-health-senate-idUSKBN13W2KX

[Angry Dragon]

1. almost sounds too good to be true

[Frustratedlady]

2. Will the same standards be held? I don't trust this, at all.

What's happening that bills are being passed so quickly with Democratic approval? I see Sanders and Warren voted against it.

I don't trust any bill coming down now that the Repugs will be in charge. Not at all. Look at all the lobbyists involved.