[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 174 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1589-E1590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 34, TSUNAMI 
    WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2015, AND PROVIDING FOR 
 CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6392, SYSTEMIC RISK DESIGNATION IMPROVEMENT ACT 
                                OF 2016

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                               speech of

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2016

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 34, 
the 21st Century Cures Act. It is vital that we ensure that the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) have the resources they need to 
continue to advance biomedical and mental health research, and improve 
access to innovative treatments for some of the most debilitating 
illnesses.
  The additional $4.8 billion authorized for the NIH to improve 
biomedical research and treatment innovations is commendable, 
particularly the $1.8 billion for the Vice President's Cancer Moonshot, 
in line with the President's budget request, that will advance critical 
life-saving research. I fully support the Cancer Moonshot's mission to 
speed up the advancement of other treatments that will help individuals 
and families who are fighting diseases or disorders. As a Cancer 
survivor, I know all too well the value of these investments and how 
many lives can be saved as a result.
  Additionally, the allocation of $1 billion to step up federal efforts 
combating the growing opioid and heroin epidemic is a positive step 
towards better treatment of addicted individuals. Every day, families 
across California and the nation are torn apart by a loved one or 
neighbor abusing opioids. Hopefully our Republican colleagues consider 
this the first of many steps to advance meaningful policies designed to 
erode the strong grip these drugs have on so many Americans.

[[Page E1590]]

  Unfortunately, key aspects of this legislation fall short and are 
clearly designed to benefit Big Pharma over American consumers, 
patients, and doctors. I am deeply troubled by the Majority's decision 
to drastically reduce new NIH funding in the legislation compared to 
H.R. 6, stifling new research and vital progress. Additionally, it is 
disappointing that an amendment I authored, which would have helped to 
improve doctor-patient communication around the diagnosis and treatment 
of severe or chronic illnesses, was not included in this legislation. 
This oversight shows the lack of understanding of the importance of 
communication between patients and doctors in a patient's treatment and 
recovery.

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