USA's BIO and PhRMA find positives in provisions of the Senate Health Care Bill passed on Christmas Eve, but not so GPhA

The early morning of Christmas Eve saw a positive final vote - 60 to 39 - in the US Senate for health care reform legislation, passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act proposed by Majority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat, Nevada), who himself had a moment of confusion, voting 'no' before quickly correcting himself.

However, before a final bill reaches President Barack Obama for signature, the Senate must reconcile its proposal with the much more progressive version passed by the House of Representatives. Notwithstanding, and although there have been accusations of bribery, the Senate measures have been broadly welcomed by the research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries of the USA.

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) president and chief executive Jim Greenwood said: 'These provisions mean increased access for the patients of today and renewed hope for the patients of tomorrow. In addition, they will help create high-wage, high-value jobs in our nation's burgeoning biotech sector and help maintain US global leadership in innovation.'