The 21st Century Cures Act: What does it mean for you?
In a rare moment of bipartisan unity, the U.S. House and Senate passed and President Barack Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law. The sweeping health care legislation makes millions of dollars available for research, mental health and for the fight against opioid addiction.
How will consumers directly benefit from the Cures Act? Voices for Affordable Health reviewed news coverage and blog posts and aggregated a reading list offering a variety of perspectives:
- Modern Medicine Network: Four things to know about the 21st Century Cures Act. A news website read by health care professionals reports the new law will accelerate approval of new drugs and make it easier for physicians to share information.
- PBS Newshour: Who wins and loses with the 21st Century Cures Act. Health reporter Sheila Kaplan counts the pharmaceutical industry’s army of 1,300 lobbyists among the winners.
- The White House: Three letters that explain why President Obama signed the Cures Act. Political spin? You bet. But letters from a son of an addicted mother, a wife whose husband is battling brain cancer and a mom whose daughter needs mental health services highlight the real-life needs.
- The New York Times: Cures Act Gains Bipartisan Support That Eluded Obama Health Law. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, called the Cures Act “the most significant legislation passed by this Congress.” Veteran Times Health reporter Robert Pear also quotes the top medical officer for the American Cancer Society, who says the reforms embedded in the new law will mean patients will get treatment faster.
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