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- CAP opposes controversial patent bill
The CAP is once again opposing the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA; S 1546/HR 3152), citing concerns over the way it would restrict a patient’s ability to evaluate and understand their genetic makeup.
Why it matters: If enacted, PERA would immediately limit clinical laboratories' ability to provide confirmatory testing and would increase patient costs for diagnostic tests.
The big picture: Ten years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that human genes cannot be patented. PERA challenges this by aiming to restore patent eligibility, creating potential chaos in health care.
- In 2024, Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE) made repeated attempts to pass PERA out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- The CAP, along with the Association for Molecular Pathology, actively opposed it.
- Sens. Tillis and Coons, along with Reps. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and Scott Peters (D-CA) reintroduced PERA on May 1.
Last year, 711 CAP members sent 1,600 messages to 93 senators in opposition to PERA before the bill was withdrawn.
What’s Next: CAP members will receive an action alert to oppose PERA.