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Senate Poised To Vote On Cures Bill; Headed To Likely Enactment This Term

 
• By Sue Darcey

Following House passage of a combined House/Senate 21st Century Cures package Nov. 30, the Senate will take up the bill on Dec. 5 or 6, said Senate HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who shepherded a similar package of medical innovation bills through the committee earlier this year. While some Democrats remain vocal in opposing the bill based on worries that it will water-down FDA safety protections and funding concerns, the House vote showed lopsided support, and the Senate is expected to pass it and the president to sign.

Capitol House

A 21st Century Cures package including a US FDA breakthrough device pathway and other important medtech reforms is headed to the Senate floor for a vote as soon as Dec. 5 or 6following passage of the bill in the House on a bipartisan 392 to 26 vote Nov. 30.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said he expects a "big vote" in the Senate on the Cures bill early next week.

The final bill passed by the House retained the same provisions most important to the medtech industry that were included in a version released Nov. 25. (Also see "House...

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