On June 14, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced two key pieces of legislation considered a priority for ACC’s advocacy efforts. Both the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act as well as an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fee package have passed the Committee and now move forward to a full Senate vote.

Initially introduced in the House by Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06) in honor of his late wife, the CAROL Act will support research and awareness efforts of valvular heart disease through funding to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Senate HELP Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill. The ACC, along with the American Heart Association and other health groups, have supported this legislation from the beginning.

“The CAROL Act will save lives by targeting investments in research to treat valvular heart diseases,” said Barr, “Over 25,000 Americans die each year from these diseases. We can and we must do better. I appreciate the Senate [HELP] Committee for passing this bill through Committee to the full Senate.”

In addition to the CAROL Act, the Committee opted to advance its FDA user fee reauthorization package, including agreements on pharmaceuticals and medical devices. ACC Chief Medical Officer Richard J. Kovacs, MD, MACC, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee concerning the FDA agreement on medical devices in April. The legislation has since passed the House, and ACC awaits the passage of this Senate version.

Access more on Kovacs’ testimony to the House committee.

Clinical Topics: Valvular Heart Disease

Keywords: Pensions, Commerce, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Health Education, Heart Valve Diseases, American Heart Association, United States Food and Drug Administration, ACC Advocacy

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