Dear Representative:
The Alliance of Specialty Medicine urges you to vote “yes” on the House passage of H.R. 6, the “21st Century Cures
Act.” The Alliance is a coalition of national medical societies representing specialty physicians in the U.S. and is
dedicated to the development of sound federal health care policy that fosters patient access to the highest quality
specialty care. We greatly appreciate your leadership to improve the discovery, development and delivery that support
continued innovation in our health care system.
The Alliance has watched the development of legislation in this area and is particularly interested in the following areas:
- Reauthorization of the National Institutes of Health;
- Establishing a streamlined process for qualifying and utilizing surrogate endpoints in clinical research trials;
- Permitting data sharing without relinquishing data ownership;
- Creation of an innovation fund to foster the discovery, development, and delivery of medical innovation;
- Standardizing data in clinical trial registry data bank;
- Developing a centralized institutional review board (IRB);
- Fostering telemedicine/telehealth;
- Promoting interoperability;
- Clarifying the continuing medical education (CME) exemption for the Sunshine Rule;
- Facilitating responsible communication of scientific and medical developments, including off-label uses (for
additional information, please see the Alliance’s position statement titled “Physician Directed Applications”*).
*http://www.specialtydocs.org/files/Alliance_Off-label_Statement_5.2.14.pdf
The Alliance appreciates this ongoing process toward the final passage of bipartisan legislation and looks forward to
continuing to work with you on this initiative. Please let us know if our expertise may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American College of Mohs Surgery
American Gastroenterological Association
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
American Society of Echocardiography
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Urological Association
Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
National Association of Spine Specialists
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
Society for Excellence in Eyecare
Read full letter here.
