Obama Signs $6.3 Billion Cures Act To Fund Cancer Research, Tackle Opioid Epidemic

President Barack Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act on Tuesday.

The bill will provide $6.3 billion for medical research. Specifically, the legislation provides $1 billion over two years to tackle the opioid epidemic and $1.8 billion for Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. Biden lost his son, Beau Biden, to brain cancer last year.

"Like Joe, and like many of you, I believe that the United States of America should be the country that ends cancer once & for all," said President Obama right before signing the bill.

He also took the opportunity to thank Biden for his work, calling him “the finest Vice President in history.”

The legislation will provide funds for President Obama’s BRAIN and Precision Medicine initiatives, so researchers can figure out how to better prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's, epilepsy and traumatic brain injuries. A mental health initiative was also part of the bill.

The White House says the legislation “will go a long way toward bringing about the medical breakthroughs we need to meet some of the biggest health challenges facing Americans today.”

“No matter what corner of the country you live in, you or someone in your life has been touched by cancer, the opioid epidemic, devastating illnesses or serious mental health issues,” said the White House.

These are the five ways the bill will help science and health, according to the Obama administration: