Policy & Issues
Our Legislative Priorities
AIM advances policies and legislation with demonstrated broad support among Americans and Members of Congress — spanning botanical medicine, integrative care, and the full spectrum of medical innovation.
Where We Stand
Accelerating Innovation In Medicine is a national advocacy coalition that works directly with Members of Congress, their staff, and federal agencies to advance commonsense policies that expand patient access, protect botanical and integrative medicine, and modernize the regulatory environment for all forms of medical innovation.
Our positions are grounded in science, shaped by patient need, and built on the broad consensus that Americans deserve access to the full spectrum of safe, effective healthcare options — from cutting-edge pharmaceuticals to time-tested botanical remedies.
H.R. 10150
Advancing Botanical Drug Development Act of 2026
H.R. 10150 would modernize the FDA's regulatory framework for botanical drug development, creating clearer, science-based pathways that recognize the unique nature of plant-based medicines while maintaining rigorous safety standards. The bill reflects years of advocacy by the botanical medicine community and represents a landmark step toward regulatory parity for natural therapies.
Spearheaded by Houton Strategies
Robert Houton
Principal, Houton Strategies
Amber Beidler
Principal, Houton Strategies
Botanical medicines represent a multi-billion dollar category of healthcare products used by tens of millions of Americans. Yet the current regulatory framework — designed primarily for single-molecule pharmaceuticals — creates unnecessary barriers for plant-based drug developers. H.R. 10150 would level the playing field and unlock a new generation of botanical therapeutics.
Key Provisions
- 1Establishes a dedicated FDA review pathway for botanical drug applications with timelines appropriate to the complexity of plant-based formulations
- 2Allows botanical drug sponsors to use a combination of clinical and traditional use evidence to support safety and efficacy determinations
- 3Creates a new botanical drug product category that distinguishes plant-based medicines from both conventional pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements
- 4Directs FDA to issue updated guidance on botanical drug master files, combination botanical products, and manufacturing standards
- 5Authorizes increased NIH and FDA funding for botanical drug research, development, and regulatory science
Legislative Priorities
Protecting Access to Botanical & Herbal Medicine
Millions of Americans rely on botanical and herbal medicines as part of their daily health regimen. AIM advocates for policies that preserve and expand access to these therapies.
- Oppose regulatory overreach that would restrict consumer access to safe botanical supplements and herbal products
- Support science-based labeling standards that inform consumers without creating unnecessary barriers
- Advance research funding for botanical medicine to build the evidence base for plant-based therapies
- Protect the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) framework that has served consumers well for decades
Expanding Integrative Medicine Access
Integrative medicine combines conventional and evidence-informed complementary approaches to treat the whole patient. AIM works to ensure these options are available and covered.
- Support insurance coverage parity for evidence-informed integrative and complementary therapies
- Advance legislation that recognizes licensed integrative medicine practitioners in federal health programs
- Promote integrative approaches in federal wellness and prevention programs
- Fund research into integrative care outcomes, particularly for chronic disease and pain management
Science-Based Regulatory Reform
A modern, efficient FDA benefits all Americans. AIM supports regulatory reforms that create fair pathways for both conventional and botanical therapies without compromising safety.
- Modernize FDA review processes to reduce unnecessary delays for safe, well-studied therapies
- Establish clear, proportionate regulatory pathways for botanical and natural health products
- Increase FDA transparency and stakeholder engagement in rulemaking that affects natural products
- Oppose one-size-fits-all pharmaceutical regulations applied to botanical and dietary supplement categories
Investing in the Full Spectrum of Medical Research
Federal research investment should reflect the full breadth of therapies Americans use and value — including botanical, integrative, and conventional medicine.
- Increase NIH and NCCIH funding for rigorous botanical and integrative medicine research
- Support public-private partnerships that accelerate innovation across all therapeutic categories
- Advance data-sharing and open-science policies that benefit all medical researchers
- Champion incentives for research into underserved therapeutic areas including plant-based medicine
Putting Patients First
Patients and their providers — not regulators or insurers — should have the final say in treatment decisions. AIM fights for policies that maximize patient choice and access.
- Protect the right of patients to access botanical, integrative, and conventional therapies of their choosing
- Oppose policies that restrict physician and practitioner ability to recommend the full range of evidence-informed treatments
- Support price transparency and affordability measures across all therapeutic categories
- Advance telehealth and digital health policies that expand access to integrative care providers
119th Congress
Active Advocacy
Legislation and regulatory actions AIM is currently engaged on in the 119th Congress.
H.R. 10150 — Advancing Botanical Drug Development Act of 2026
AIM's flagship legislative priority. Spearheaded by Houton Strategies, this bill creates a modern FDA pathway for botanical drug development and is a top priority for the coalition.
DSHEA Modernization Act
Supporting updates to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act that preserve consumer access while improving safety reporting.
Integrative Care Coverage Act
Advancing legislation to require Medicare and Medicaid coverage of evidence-based integrative and complementary therapies.
FDA Botanical Drug Guidance
Monitoring FDA rulemaking on botanical drug applications and engaging in the public comment process on behalf of coalition members.
NCCIH Funding Authorization
Championing increased authorization levels for the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in the next NIH reauthorization.
Harris Poll Survey Data
Americans Strongly Support Botanical Drug Development
A national Harris Poll survey commissioned to measure public attitudes toward botanical medicine, FDA modernization, and H.R. 10150 reveals overwhelming bipartisan support across every demographic.
of Americans support creating a dedicated FDA pathway for botanical drug development
Have used or would consider botanical medicine
Say Congress should modernize botanical drug regulations
Support across Republican, Democrat, and Independent voters
Bipartisan majority
Across all age groups
Including independents
Across party lines
National adult sample
Source: Harris Poll, commissioned by AIM — Accelerating Innovation In Medicine — Survey conducted among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Results weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics for age, gender, region, and education.
Help Shape These Policies
Join the AIM coalition and add your voice to the national conversation on medical innovation and botanical medicine access.