Congressional Update

One of ACRP’s efforts in 2008 has been to grow support for a resolution in the United States House of Representatives which would honor the contributions of patients who participate in clinical trials.  The measure, House Resolution 248, was introduced by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) in March 2007 and had just two cosponsors and additional cosponsors were needed to move the resolution forward.  To that end, ACRP’s Director of Government Affairs Katherine Madigan met with representatives of Congressman Boucher’s office last December to offer support for the resolution and to offer the Academy’s help in contacting their own U.S. Representatives to urge them to cosponsor the resolution.  The ACRP/APPI cosponsorship campaign started in February 2008 and, along with actions by Rep. Boucher’s staff has already had some positive results.  As of April 10, the resolution now has nine cosponsors and interest is growing. 

However, additional cosponsors are still needed to get the measure out of the House Energy & Commerce Committee and to a vote prior to the end of the 110th Congress.  A recent discussion with Rep. Boucher’s staff revealed that the Members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee are especially needed on the resolution.  All ACRP and APPI members who are interested in supporting the resolution should contact their Member of Congress today.  For more information on how to support this effort, please visit http://acrpnet.org/MainMenuCategory/PublicPolicy.aspx to receive materials related to contacting your Representative. We will continue to monitor the resolution and will advise of any new developments in this newsletter.