On September 30, 2014, the inevitable happened: Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case of Ebola was diagnosed in the United States. Not only was this a serious issue, it was even more frightening given that it was being handled in our backyard, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, just 35 miles from our North Texas Congressional District.
In this global age in which we live, this type of spread was very likely with an epidemic in West Africa of that size and scope. At the time of the announcement, I made a statement calling for extra vigilance in the monitoring of the local contacts made by the first patient, who later died. Sadly, we now know that the type of care and vigilance this crisis required did not occur, and two more patients -- nurses who treated the first patient -- were infected with Ebola.
In the coming days, I sprung into action both at home and in Washington to do whatever we as a Congress could to ensure the mistakes made at Texas Health Presbyterian and within the CDC were identified and rectified. At an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, on which I serve as vice-chairman, I questioned the witnesses, which included CDC Director Tom Frieden, on why there is such a difference in the protective gear worn by health care officials when treating patients in Africa versus what the workers were wearing here in Texas. I later Tweeted two photos that help illustrate the point I was trying to make, which you can view here and here. I also was and continue to be concerned about the training given by the CDC to workers in community hospitals like Presbyterian. I do not believe it was thorough, sufficient or complete. Finally, I continue to believe a travel ban is one of the best ways we can work to stop the spread of Ebola.
More photos of the hearing may be found on the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Facebook page here. Specific information about the hearing may be found here. Immediately following the hearing, I recorded a recap which I used as my Weekly Video Address that week. You may view it here.
As a physician -- and someone who once worked at Presbyterian Hospital for a short time -- I am deeply committed to doing all I can to help the containment of this deadly virus. I was concerned about this long before it was front page news and received numerous briefings with those in charge of dealing with the outbreak, including Dr. Frieden. I continue to be briefed on the latest updates as they come.
Over the past few weeks, I also made the rounds on numerous national and local TV shows to discuss the latest in the crisis. I believe it is important to share with the public and my constituents the most up-to-date information about this issue, and this seemed to be the best way. You may view most of the clips below, which are listed by date.
As always, I appreciate your questions and comments on this issue. Thank you for taking the time to visit this page. May God bless you and your family, our health care workers and leaders, and as always, may God bless Texas.
