Key Point
- The Foundation supports the modernization of our healthcare policies to drive innovative medical technologies and improve patient outcomes, as expressed in the recent 21st Century Cures 2.0 discussion draft.
- Update: In November 2021, the Cures 2.0 bill was formally introduced.
The Focused Ultrasound Foundation strongly supports the modernization of healthcare policies to drive the development of innovative medical technologies to improve patient outcomes and ensure widespread and equitable patient access to these technologies, particularly transformative new therapies like focused ultrasound.
In December 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law. It intended to help accelerate medical product development and bring new innovations and advances to patients who need them faster and more efficiently.
Recently, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) put forward proposals for the follow up to the 21st Century Cures Act in the 21st Century Cures 2.0 discussion draft. The Foundation supports the proposals, in particular:
- improved communication between the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding breakthrough therapies,
- a new Medicare coverage and payment pathway for breakthrough devices,
- the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and
- increasing diversity in clinical trials and addressing healthcare disparities.
The Foundation has drafted a letter expressing this support. We also offer some ideas to strengthen several proposals in the discussion draft.
Jessica Foley, PhD, who leads the Foundation’s advocacy and government affairs work stressed, “It is crucial that we implement these necessary policy innovations to ensure patients everywhere can access current and future life-changing and often life-saving technology.”