Advocates regroup after Sanders blocks pediatric PRV reauthorization

Children who have survived cancer, those still fighting the disease, and families who have endured the loss of a child gathered in the gallery above the Senate floor last month expecting to witness the passage of legislation they believe could save lives. Instead, they watched Sen. Bernie Sanders block a vote on reauthorization of rare pediatric disease priority review vouchers.

Sanders (I-Vt.) announced that although he supported reauthorizing PRVs, he would block the legislation unless the Senate immediately adopted unrelated provisions costing billions of dollars. The move was not a negotiating tactic. Sanders knew the Senate would not meet his terms, and if it somehow did, the House of Representatives would reject them. ...