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, released the following statement after the House passed the Helping MOMS Act of 2019 and the BIG Act. 

“It is encouraging that Congress put the welfare of our communities first today by passing both the Helping MOMS and the BIG Act,” said Burgess.

"Having spent nearly three decades as an OB/GYN, I believe it should be a national goal to eliminate all preventable maternal mortality – even a single maternal death is too many. H.R. 4996, the Helping MOMS Act of 2019 provides a state option for continuous coverage of full benefits for women for up to one year postpartum. States have already indicated a willingness to address maternal mortality rates, and this bill will allow states to bolster those efforts in Medicaid. 

"Additionally, the House passed H.R. 3539, the Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act of 2019. This critical legislation equips schools and communities with the tools they need to ensure the safety and health of each student. School-aged children are at a prime age to identify and treat behavioral health issues. By providing schools with best practices for behavioral health intervention training and services, we can work to prevent further tragedy from happening. 

"I hope that the Senate will quickly take up these issues so that we can provide real results to the American people."