Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher’s (TX-07) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis’ (FL-12) bipartisan bill to improve and develop pediatric medical devices by reauthorizing the Pediatric Device Consortia (PDC) grant program and allowing profits for certain Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) devices, passed the House of Representatives for a second time.  The bill was included in a larger bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature. 

“Our children deserve the same commitment to the development of life-saving and life-changing devices that we make to adults,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “I am glad to have partnered with Congressman Bilirakis in this bipartisan effort to bring beneficial treatments and technologies to children across our country.  I look forward to seeing President Biden sign this important legislation into law.”

In May, Congresswoman Fletcher introduced this legislation as H.R. 7679.  The bill passed the Energy and Commerce Committee later that month and passed the House in June. 

The PDC program funds five consortia throughout the United States.  The Southwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium (SWPDC) is anchored by Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.    

To view the full text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, click here.