WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised today’s Senate passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, a bipartisan bill that will help Kentuckians by promoting critical investments in research and treatment development and helping cut through unnecessary regulations that could hinder the development of life-saving cures, while also protecting patient safety. The legislation, which passed 94-5, also includes provisions to help enhance mental health programs and fight opioid abuse.

The 21st Century Cures bill builds on the significant Senate accomplishments under Republican leadership this Congress and as Senator McConnell said during his floor remarks, “This is one of the most meaningful bills we’ll pass this year.”

Senator McConnell applauded the bill’s passage, saying, “Sending this bipartisan legislation to the President’s desk is an important step in helping foster solutions when it comes to heartbreaking illnesses like Alzheimer’s, opioid addiction, mental health disorders and cancer. 21st Century Cures is a medical innovation bill that can have a substantial impact for families across the country and provides funding to help combat the prescription opioid epidemic that’s swept our nation, particularly in Kentucky.”

Senator McConnell has heard from a number of health professionals across the state regarding the importance in passing 21st Century Cures and the impact this legislation will have on the Commonwealth:

University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto: “With Leader McConnell’s support and leadership, the 21st Century Cures/medical innovation bill is one more compelling example of how we will be positioned with the talent of our researchers to improve the lives of people across the Commonwealth.”

KentuckyOne President/CEO Ruth Brinkley: “We applaud passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, which will enhance mental health services, address our nation’s opioid abuse crisis, and ensure rural America has access to care. This important legislation will help KentuckyOne Health fulfill its mission of providing wellness, healing and hope to all. We would like to thank Senator McConnell for his leadership on behalf of Kentuckians.”

Kentucky Hospital Association President Mike Rust: “On behalf of the Kentucky Hospital Association and our 127 member hospitals, I would like to commend and thank Senator McConnell and Congress for the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act. The legislation overhauls drug development, accelerates new cures and treatments and includes a number of provisions important to Kentucky hospitals and their work to improve patient care. The bill includes important provisions related to hospital outpatient services, rural health care, a much needed socioeconomic adjustment to the readmissions program, relief for long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) and important provisions related to behavioral health and opioid abuse and treatment. KHA appreciates the leadership and support that the Kentucky congressional delegation has shown this year on these issues that are important to patients and the hospitals that serve them.”

Baptist Health CEO Stephen Hanson: “On behalf of Baptist Health’s family of acute care hospitals, 250+ outpatient facilities, and 3,000+ employed and affiliated physicians who serve…we are grateful for Senator McConnell’s support for swift passage of 21st Century Cures…this overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation contains many provisions that will help Baptist Health continue to treat the most vulnerable individuals throughout Kentucky…we look forward to continuing to work with Senator McConnell as we improve the health and wellbeing of all Kentuckians…”

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Cures bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation will now be sent to the President’s desk for his signature.