GOP Prepares for House Vote on Medical Research Bill
Source: Associated Press
GOP Prepares for House Vote on Medical Research Bill
By ALAN FRAM, ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON Nov 29, 2016, 4:33 PM ET
Republicans and Democrats put finishing touches Tuesday on a $6.3 billion medical research bill as GOP leaders prepared to try pushing the measure through the lame-duck Congress by next week.
While Democrats and consumer groups were unhappy with parts of the legislation, it contained enough accomplishments for both sides that passage seemed likely. Government drug approvals would be accelerated, there would be more money for biomedical research including on cancer, a priority for the White House and Vice President Joe Biden and there would be added funds for battling abuse of addictive drugs like opioids, a growing problem that plagues red and blue states alike.
"It's a very important and attractive piece of legislation. I anticipate a big vote," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who chairs the Senate Health committee.
The House was planning to consider the 996-page package Wednesday, with Senate action expected next week.
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