Obama Signs ‘Moonshot’ Bill Boosting Spending On Cancer Research

United States President Barack Obama speaks as US Vice President Joe Biden looks on while discussing the release of the Cancer Moonshot Report in the Oval Office of the White House on October 17, 2016 in Washington, ... United States President Barack Obama speaks as US Vice President Joe Biden looks on while discussing the release of the Cancer Moonshot Report in the Oval Office of the White House on October 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. Credit: Olivier Douliery / Pool via CNP - NO WIRE SERVICE - Photo by: Olivier Douliery/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed into law legislation that makes new investments in cancer research and battling drug abuse.

Obama signed the bill at a ceremony on the White House campus flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and key lawmakers.

The 21st Century Cures Act invests $1.8 billion for a cancer research “moonshot” that is strongly supported by Biden. The vice president’s son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015.

The bill also authorizes giving states $1 billion over two years to prevent and treat the abuse of opioids and other addictive drugs like heroin.

Overall, the measure plans $6.3 billion in new spending over the coming decade. The bill also streamlines the approval process for drugs and medical devices at the Food and Drug Administration.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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