Council for American Medical Innovation Commends Specter for Introduction of "Cures" Amendment

WASHINGTON (December 11, 2009)  As the U.S. Senate continues to debate health care reform, the Council for American Medical Innovation (CAMI) today applauded Sen. Arlen Specter for filing an amendment that would speed delivery of cures and treatments to patients in need.

The Specter amendment would include key provisions of a revised Cures Acceleration Network (CAN) Act of 2009 within health care reform.  Specifically, the legislation would establish a cutting edge Cures Acceleration Network within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"Our nation's health care system cannot truly be reformed without redoubling our nation's commitment to medical innovation.  The Specter Amendment adds a missing ingredient to this debate by increasing our nation's investment in research and development, focusing especially on the 'valley of death' that too often prevents promising treatments from reaching patients in need," said Council President, Debra R. Lappin.

"The Council strongly supports the Specter amendment while recognizing that the community must work together to ensure a vital role for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the proposed Cures Acceleration Network." Lappin added.

Specifically, CAN seeks to expedite the drug discovery and development process through new grant mechanisms that encourage partnership and under the leadership of a Board with diverse expertise in moving discoveries into life saving therapies.

Council Chair and former House Majority Leader, Richard Gephardt, noted, "The Specter amendment will begin to unshackle the bindings that for too long have hindered the development of new cures and treatments, ensuring America has the capacity to innovate and discover today, tomorrow and well into the future. We applaud Senator Specter for taking this action."Â

About the Council for American Medical Innovation

The United States faces serious challenges to maintaining its leadership position in innovation. The Council for American Medical Innovation is bringing together leaders in research, medicine, public health, academia, education, labor, and business, who are working in partnership toward a national policy agenda aimed at preserving U.S. leadership in medical innovation. American medical innovators create millions of high-paying jobs, and their discoveries are integral in the fight to cure cancer and other illnesses. The Council for American Medical Innovation views leadership in medical innovation as a key part of America's economic recovery, future prosperity and health.

For more information on the Council for American Medical Innovation, visit www.americanmedicalinnovation.org. Follow us on Twitter @Med_Innovation.