Bills · HR 8205
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 8205Health
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
This bill keeps the current ALS research and treatment program running for five more years, ensuring patients can access experimental medicine while requiring the government to update its plan for fighting rare brain diseases.AI-written
INTRO APR 6· LAST ACTION APR 6
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
35BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
tl;dr
AI-writtenExtends a federal program through 2031 that funds ALS research and gives patients with terminal brain diseases access to experimental drugs not yet on the market.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenALS is a terminal disease with very few effective treatments, and many patients do not qualify for traditional clinical trials because their disease is too advanced. This bill acts as a lifeline by keeping the funding for 'compassionate use' programs alive, which allows these patients to try new drugs while they are still being studied.
If this bill doesn't pass, the current program will end in 2026, potentially cutting off funding for research and experimental drug access. By extending the law to 2031, it provides stability for the scientific community and hope for families dealing with rare brain diseases that often lack the research funding given to more common conditions.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Extends the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act through fiscal year 2031.
This prevents the program from expiring in 2026, ensuring continued funding for research and patient drug access.
PROVISION 02
Requires grant applicants to share interim clinical trial data and enrollment numbers for drug research renewals.
This ensures that taxpayer-funded research is actually progressing and enrolling enough patients to be meaningful.
PROVISION 03
Expands the definition of 'Phase 3' trials to include combined Phase 2/3 trials and planned trials.
This makes more types of research eligible for federal funding, potentially speeding up the transition from testing to treatment.
PROVISION 04
Directs the FDA to publish a new 5-year action plan for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases.
It forces the government to update its strategy and specifically include rare diseases other than just ALS.
PROVISION 05
Mandates a GAO report within four years to audit the program's effectiveness.
This provides independent oversight to see if the money is being spent effectively to help patients.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 35
D· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
13
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 97%
DEM 17 REP 18 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAPR 6
Introduced in House
APR 6
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 8205
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 6, 2026
Last actionApr 6, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 6, 2026
House BillHR 8205Health
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
This bill keeps the current ALS research and treatment program running for five more years, ensuring patients can access experimental medicine while requiring the government to update its plan for fighting rare brain diseases.AI-written
INTRODUCED APR 6, 2026· LAST ACTION APR 6, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
35
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
