U.s. congressman Rodney davis proudly representing the 13th district of illinois

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today released this statement after the House passed the House-Senate compromise for the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes funding for the ‘Cancer Moonshot,' accelerates development of life-saving and life-improving medical treatments, and includes major mental health reform legislation the House passed in September.

The 21st Century Cures Act includes funding for the ‘Cancer Moonshot’ initiative to that Davis has worked to pass.

“Today, it takes an average of 15 years to move a drug from the lab to our local pharmacies,” said Davis. “And like too many of my constituents, my family has been impacted by illness, both successful and unsuccessful battles with cancer, so if we can speed up this process by even just one year by cutting through bureaucratic red tape, we must do so. Curing cancer must be our next mission to the moon and this legislation helps us get one step closer.”

Additionally, this legislation includes major mental health reform legislation passed by the House earlier this year. H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was written by the only clinical psychologist serving in Congress, represents the first significant changes our mental health system in more than a decade. The Washington Post has called this bill a ‘remarkable achievement’ to reforming our nation’s mental health system.

“Whether it’s another mass killing or another suicide, which is now the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults, we’re reminded each time that our country is facing a mental health crisis that we cannot afford to ignore,” said Davis. “We are pouring billions of dollars every year into a system that is broken and failing to help those who need it. This bipartisan legislation changes the way we treat mental illness in this country and will help those suffering get the care they need before it’s too late. The bill takes steps to prevent our jails from being the de facto holding facilities for the mentally ill, coordinate more than 112 existing federal mental health programs, and improve communication between providers, families, and patients.”

Learn more about the 21st Century Cures Act and the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.