Second White Paper Reviews Proposals Made in the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology 2012 Report on Propelling Innovation – Health Subcommittee Schedules Hearing on PCAST for May 20
WASHINGTON, DC – The House Energy and Commerce Committee today released its latest white paper in the 21st Century Cures initiative. The paper, 21st Century Cures: An Update on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology 2012 Report on Propelling Innovation, reviews the recommendations made by the president’s council and seeks input regarding how the PCAST proposals can contribute to 21st Century Cures. The committee also announced a Health Subcommittee hearing on PCAST for 10 a.m., May 20, 2014, in 2322 Rayburn House Office Building. Additional hearing details will be posted here as available.
The report prepared by the president’s council outlines goals that are in keeping with the committee’s 21st Century Cures initiative. As the paper explains, “In the report, the president’s council acknowledges that while ‘[t]he past quarter-century has seen tremendous progress in biomedical research’ and such ‘breakthroughs are beginning to pay off in terms of new therapies for American patients,’ much work remains to be done since ‘the pace of new therapeutic development has not kept up with the explosion in scientific knowledge.’”
In seeking input, the committee asks, “How can these proposals help accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of innovative new treatments and cures, creating more jobs, and maintaining our nation’s role as the innovation capital of the world?” Responses to the questions posed in this paper can be sent to cures@mail.house.gov by June 10, 2014.
“As we’ve said, the first part of 21st Century Cures is about listening. We continue to seek ideas and input from folks all across the country and look forward to continuing to discuss the tremendous opportunity that science and technology present,” commented full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI).
Last week the committee hosted its inaugural roundtable for 21st Century Cures, which included officials from the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, as well as several other prominent thought leaders. Participants discussed what steps Congress can take to help accelerate the pace of the discovery, development, and delivery cycle in the United States to foster innovation, bring new treatments and cures to patients, and keep more jobs here in America.
Read the complete white paper online here.
Learn more about the committee’s 21st Century Cures initiative online here.