U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) on April 6 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that would help Americans living with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, continue to access innovative treatments while advancing the scientific research of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies (ACT) for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026, H.R. 8205, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), would amend the ACT for ALS Act to reauthorize the law’s provisions through fiscal year 2031.
“The ACT for ALS was a landmark law that gave hope to Americans impacted by ALS,” Rep. Calvert said. “It’s now critical that Congress builds upon that milestone by passing the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act to continue our progress in researching cures and treatments.
“The courageous and extraordinary ALS advocates who helped us pass the ACT for ALS are a source of inspiration and the reason we have reached this moment,” he added. “I appreciate the leadership of my fellow ALS Caucus colleague Rep. Mike Quigley in sponsoring this bill and working together with me to advance these bipartisan solutions.”
H.R. 8205 would reauthorize ACT for ALS programs for five years, codify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ interpretation of Expanded Access Program eligibility guidelines, require a new FDA five-year action plan, and require a new GAO report on the implementation of the programs in 2030.
“Every dollar put towards ACT for ALS programs has improved our understanding of ALS and allowed people living with ALS to access promising treatments,” Rep. Quigley said. “We made great progress during the first five years of these programs, but ALS remains a 100-percent fatal disease. The federal government must continue supporting efforts to end this disease once and for all.”
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) are leading the same-named bill in the Senate.
The legislation has been endorsed by I AM ALS, the ALS Network, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the ALS Association.