Hudson Health Care Bills Pass U.S. House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two health care-related bills introduced by U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) have passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

H.R. 3743, the Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration Act will increase the level of funding that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can transfer and allocate to their respective non-profit, independent foundations. This increase will allow the foundations to further support and promote public-private partnerships, as well as advance collaboration and innovation to address cutting-edge regulatory science challenges, such as the current research and development of COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

"This legislation will allow the NIH and FDA to build on previous success and develop new vaccines and treatments faster by working with the private sector," said Rep. Hudson.

Rep. Hudson introduced the bipartisan H.R. 3743 in June.

Also passed by the House was H.R. 5551, the Improving the Health of Children Act, to reauthorize the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities through 2026. The Center has been receiving unauthorized appropriations since FY 2008, including receiving an unauthorized appropriation of $168 million in FY 2021.

"Families that rely on the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities should not have the can kicked down the road. By reauthorizing funds for this Center, we are giving programs that work to address birth defects, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, child development, newborn screening, autism, and other diseases the attention and much-needed stability they deserve," said Rep. Hudson.

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