Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, delivered the following remarks during today’s Energy and Commerce Committee markup.
As prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the Republican Leader of the Health Subcommittee, I appreciate the inclusion of nearly 30 bipartisan health bills in this markup today. I know the immense amount of work that has gone into preparing these bills for this markup and would like to take a moment to thank the health subcommittee staff for working through technical assistance from agencies and addressing outstanding concerns.
Our work at the health subcommittee during this unusual year has led to the compilation of a wide range of bills for consideration today. Some bills revisit and build on some of the successes of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which moved through Energy and Commerce and was signed into law by President Trump in 2018.
This novel coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the opioid epidemic and has posed new challenges for patients seeking treatment. These bills will increase support services for those individuals and their loved ones.
In May, I requested the Health Subcommittee hold a mental health hearing. We had a productive hearing on bills to increase mental health services and supports, including suicide awareness and prevention. These bills would help connect individuals with treatment, including in emergency departments and schools. I appreciate the inclusion of H.R. 3539, the Behavioral Health Intervention Guidelines Act – a bill authored by Rep. Drew Ferguson of which I am a proud original cosponsor.
Public health reauthorizations are some of the most important work we do at the Health Subcommittee. Today, we are considering the reauthorizations of programs to support breast cancer prevention and awareness efforts, stem cell and cord blood research, and school-based health centers. Additionally, extending the Pediatric Review Voucher program at the Food and Drug Administration will provide additional certainty and incentives that will drive continued innovation of pediatric drugs.
Lastly, we have several bills to address narrow issues in the insurance market – both Medicare and commercial. I appreciate the Majority’s willingness to negotiate on a few of these bills to address concerns on our side of the aisle.
Aside from health, I am pleased that two of my bills focused on advancing emerging technologies are included. The first, with Rep. McNerney, will allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission to utilize artificial intelligence in furtherance of its consumer safety mission.
The Advancing 3D Printing Act will assess the state of 3D printing in the United States to ensure we secure our place as a global leader of this technology.
I hope that we can work together to pass these bills out of our committee and bring them to the House floor.
