Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sen. Murkowski Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Extend ALS Research Funding Through 2031
This bill was recently introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and has no upcoming votes scheduled at this time. The bill is considered active as it waits for the committee to decide on its next steps.
Legislative Progress
This bill has support from both parties and builds on a program that already exists. Since it helps people with a terminal illness, it usually moves through Congress quickly.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
People living with ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases benefit most directly from this bill. It extends funding for research grants that support clinical trials of investigational drugs and broadens which trials qualify, potentially speeding up access to new treatments. ALS is a rapidly progressing fatal disease, so continued federal investment in research and expanded access programs is especially meaningful for the roughly 30,000 Americans living with it at any given time.
“To amend the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act to reauthorize the provisions of such Act through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes.”
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articlesGus Bilirakis advances bills to boost access and research for leukemia, lymphoma, ALS
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis led the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee in unanimously clearing H.R. 8205, the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act. The bill ensures critical research and access efforts continue without interruption while bolstering oversight on FDA spending and drug trials.
Advocates push for swift passage of ACT for ALS reauthorization bill
A bipartisan coalition led by Reps. Mike Quigley and Ken Calvert introduced H.R. 8205 to prevent a 'funding cliff' for ALS research. The bill extends the 2021 landmark law through 2031, mandating stricter accountability for clinical trials and greater regulatory transparency for new therapies.
ALS Network Applauds the Bipartisan Legislation to Sustain Momentum in ALS Research and Access to Investigational Therapies
The ALS Network announced support for the Senate introduction of the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act (S. 4472) by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chris Coons. The legislation aims to sustain momentum in research and expand 'compassionate use' access for patients ineligible for traditional trials.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.