The House overwhelmingly approved the 21st Century Cures Act that would help drug and medical device companies win faster government approval of their products, boost disease research and drug-abuse spending and improve federal mental health programs, according to an article in abc news.

The bill proposes spending $4.8 billion over the next decade, but was condemned by consumer groups and some Democrats.

In a written statement, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the bill "is not perfect" but contains "advances in health that far outweigh these concerns."

The Senate is expected to approve the bill next week.

Read the abc news article and The Huffington Post perspective.