A controversial bill called the “Research Works Act” has been introduced in Congress. This bill would end the current policy (that has been in effect since 2008) that requires any research funded by the NIH be made freely available to the public via Pub Med Central one year after publication in a journal.
For reactions, see this ProPublica article and New York Times op-ed piece.
For the publishing industry’s perspective, see this statement from the Association of American Publishers.
Text of the bill is available here.
Read the Medical Library Association and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Library’s comments on the “Research Works Act” here:
http://www.mlanet.org/government/gov_pdf/2011_december_ostp_comments.pdf