Walter Whitt, a senior at Bishop O’Connell High School in
Arlington, testified during a panel discussion convened by
the House Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington March
23.
The panel, “Conversation on Child Cures,” included patients
and advocates in support of H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures
Act. The legislation proposes an overhaul in the way in which
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates many health
care products and includes a means of accelerating the
approval process for new drugs.
Whitt spoke about his battle with cystic fibrosis and the
treatments that have enabled him to regain some of his lung
capacity lost to the disease. Despite some health setbacks,
Whitt will graduate in June and looks ahead to attending
college.
