This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a 4.8 billion dollar healthcare law including two bills that were cosponsored by Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke: The 21st Century Cures Act and the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. According to Zinke, whose mother-in-law passed away this year after losing a fight against Alzheimer’s, the costs of the legislation are offset and will hopefully pay off in a big way in the long run.

"The liability of diseases like Alzheimer's is over a trillion dollars in the out years," Zinke said. "We need to take actions now. Much of the expenses offset and compared to the liability that we face, investing today for a cure is a better way to do it."

Zinke explains how the legislation is designed to address some of mankind’s most troublesome diseases.

"What this bill does is it puts significant research dollars against finding cures for the diseases that affect every Montanan and every American," said Zinke. "The money for 21st Century Cures Act goes to things like research and development. Equip the front lines. This is a giant step forward, one in particular is a moon shot to cure cancer."

Support for the bill in the house was an overwhelming 392 to 26, Zinke says he has no doubt the bill will pass the Senate as well.

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