The Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act (EACT) passed a vote in the House of Representatives this afternoon, after passing the Senate by unanimous consent on July 16.

The legislation, which makes the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act (IACT) of 2009 permanent, was introduced in the Senate by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and in the House by Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Tom Marino (R-Pa.) and James McGovern (D-Mass.). It will now go to the President for his signature. The IACT was set to expire on October 5, 2015.

The IACT allows individuals living with rare diseases, like cystic fibrosis, to receive compensation for participating in clinical trials without losing access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits. In making IACT permanent, those receiving federal assistance will not have to choose between access to government benefits and participating in clinical trials.

The CF Foundation championed the original IACT legislation and has been a leading supporter of the Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015.

“We applaud the House of Representatives for passing this critical bill that will help advance research into serious rare diseases, like cystic fibrosis,” said Dr. Robert J. Beall, president and CEO of the Foundation. “The Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act has been so important to those with CF who rely on government benefits, and we are delighted that it will be a permanent law. We call on President Obama to sign this critical legislation without delay.”

The CF Foundation is grateful to everyone in the CF community who reached out to raise awareness and support for the EACT. We would also like to thank the members of Congress who support the rare disease community with this critical piece of legislation.