Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6378, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018, and the “gag clause” bills.

“With today’s passage of these bills, the House has continued to deliver on its promise to improve health care for the American people. In addition to providing a critical reauthorization of key preparedness and response programs, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act also includes my MISSION ZERO Act to connect battle-tested trauma care with American patients. While unfortunately no community is immune from trauma injuries, forming lifesaving partnerships between military trauma care providers and civilian physicians can ensure that American patients have access to quality trauma care and that our military trauma professionals maintain readiness. First passed by the House in February, MISSION ZERO is now another step closer to becoming the law of the land.

“As Republicans work alongside President Trump to lower prescription drug prices for the American people, banning ‘gag clauses’ has been a shared goal of both the House and Senate. Recently, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 6733, the Know the Cost Act of 2018. As an original cosponsor of this legislation, I believe that today’s passage of the Senate companion bills is another step in the right direction. While eliminating burdensome gag clauses may not solve every aspect of the drug pricing issue, it will have an immediate benefit for those that are impacted most – patients at the pharmacy counter. I am grateful to my fellow Health Subcommittee members Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) for their respective work on these important priorities and their help in bringing them across the finish line.” 

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