DeLauro Statement on House Passage of Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act

Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today applauded House passage of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health (ARPA-H) Act. This legislation would accelerate innovation in health and medicine by investing in high-risk, high-reward research projects, particularly in areas where public and private research enterprises currently fail.

"As I have said before, I am proud of the work we have done together to establish ARPA-H," said Chair DeLauro. "It is clear that the $1 billion investment in FY 2022 funding made to establish ARPA-H has the incredible potential to develop transformative technologies. This agency will research the causes and address the debilitating impact of major diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, ALS, and others that impact the lives of millions of Americans and exacerbate already existing health disparities.

"I strongly support Congresswoman Eshoo's commitment to transferring ARPA-H outside of NIH, as I believe placing this agency within NIH was a mistake. I have repeatedly told Secretary Becerra and Acting Director Tabak ARPA-H will be more successful in its unique missions if it is an independent agency. I thank my friend Congresswoman Eshoo for her leadership on this legislation, which enables us to continue our important work to reduce health disparities and save lives."

H.R. 5585, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health (ARPA-H) Act establishes ARPA-H as an independent operating division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ARPA-H will be focused on accelerating medical innovation to develop transformative breakthroughs in how we detect and treat the deadliest diseases. The bill will allow ARPA-H to focus on developing breakthrough technologies that would otherwise die in the commercial market.

For a fact sheet on H.R. 5585, click here.