A major research group wants Congress to finish up passage of major bipartisan medical research legislation, putting it at odds with liberal groups who want it delayed to address high drug prices.
ResearchAmerica sent a letter to Senate and House leaders on Friday calling for passage of the 21st Century Cures Act during the coming lame-duck session.
“It would be tragic if we acquiesce to the status quo when better is within our reach,” according to ResearchAmerica, which represents more than 360 organizations that include universities, academic health centers and research institutions.
The legislation was passed in the House last year but has stalled in the Senate over disagreements about how much money to give the National Institutes of Health.
House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have said that getting an agreement on cures is a top priority in the lame-duck session, which begins Nov. 14.
However, some liberal groups want the legislation to be delayed until next year to address high drug prices.
The left-leaning Center for American Progress, Public Citizen, the AFL-CIO labor federation and several unions wrote to congressional leaders earlier this week asking for the delay.
“Moving forward with this legislation now would be a missed opportunity to address unaffordable prescription drug prices,” the letter said.
The groups also were concerned about extending exclusivity periods for certain drugs and speeding up Food and Drug Administration approval of new drugs and devices.
