Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader for the 116^th Congress Greg Walden (R-OR), Republican Leader for the 117^th Congress Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) released the following statement on House passage of four health bills.

“We are proud that the House today has taken action to ensure patients have control over and access to their personal health information, make certain any federally-sanctioned marijuana research is done with the most stringent controls and protections, and protect Medicare beneficiaries from surprise medical bills after colorectal screenings. As we unite to protect some patients from surprise medical bills, we are reminded again of the work that remains to end this practice so all patients can rest assured knowing they will not receive unexpected outrageous bills after seeking care. We urge our colleagues in the House to come to the table to end surprise billing for once and for all, and we thank them for their bipartisan work on the important bills that passed today,” said Walden, Burgess, and Rodgers.

Today the House unanimously agreed to the following health bills:

• H.R. 3797, the Medical Marijuana Research Act;
• H.R. 1570, Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act;
• H.R. 7898, to amend the Public Health Services Act to provide the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Service certain authorities with respect to investigations of information blocking, and for other purposes, as amended; and,
• H.R. 1966, the Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act of 2019.