Senate Panel Passes Breakthrough Device, Other Measures; FDA Funding Debated

The Senate HELP Committee voted March 9 in favor of a breakthrough device provision, watered down from a version approved in the House last year. Other bills voted out of committee include a combination products reform measure, the digital-health focused MEDTECH Act, and four others. Senators are still debating whether NIH and FDA should get additional funds to cover the cost of the bills, which will be wrapped up into a broader package before Senate floor debate.