Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia energy production meeting.
“Over the last decade, America has emerged as a global leader in energy production thanks to the energy sector's technological innovations and productivity growth that have been refined by a vibrant, free market,” said Burgess.
“This year, the price of oil has fallen rapidly due to changing supply and demand throughout the world. Efforts to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus have led to less travel and industrial activity, leading to less demand for oil by about 30 million barrels a day. On top of this, Russia and the OPEC have sharply increased production to gain market share from the United States. American energy producers have been caught between a rock and a hard place.
“Yesterday, OPEC and Russia reached a commitment to cut their oil production by 10 million barrels a day, reversing the production increases initiated last month, and are seeking mandatory cuts from the G20 nations.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to maintaining America’s free market principles and our leadership position in the global energy market. That is why I co-sponsored legislation to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This action would increase America’s energy resilience and save taxpayer dollars by buying petroleum at a low price. It also will give producers a brief window of time to plan and adapt to the changing marketplace.
“While today’s market forces are challenging, I am optimistic for the future of American energy production. The dynamism of our free market system and the spirit of American ingenuity have always pushed America ahead in tough times.”
Yesterday, OPEC and Russia reached a commitment to cut their oil production by 10 million barrels a day, reversing the production increases initiated last month, and are seeking mandatory cuts from the G20 nations.
I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to maintaining America’s free market principles and our leadership position in the global energy market. That is why I co-sponsored legislation to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This action would increase America’s energy resilience and save taxpayer dollars by buying petroleum at a low price. It also will give producers a brief window of time to plan and adapt to the changing marketplace.
National Update: The Department of Health and Human Services began distributing the initial $30 billion of funding from the CARES Act to health care providers. Eligible hospitals, physicians, and other providers will be receiving these funds in the form of direct deposits today. This $30 billion will be allocated based on a provider’s share of total 2019 Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements. Subsequent distribution of funds will be allocated according to different methodologies. This funding differs from the Medicare Accelerated/Advanced Payment Program because it goes out in the form of a direct payment rather than a loan.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved approximately $51 billion in Accelerated/Advanced Payment Program requests. This $51 billion will help health care providers continue their work on the frontlines of this Coronavirus battle. This amount distributed is an increase from the $34 billion CMS previously announced earlier this week.
CMS removed non-invasive ventilators from Round 2021 of the Competitive Bidding Program. As a result of this Coronavirus, non-invasive ventilators have been removed from the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies competitive business program. CMS is also suspending a number of regulatory restrictions to provide additional flexibility to health care workers.
The Food and DrugAdministration(FDA) Roundup. The FDA issued a second emergency use authorization to decontaminate N95 respirators. The FDA also issued new best practices for retail food stores, restaurants, and pick-up and delivery services during this Coronavirus outbreak.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service extended over 300 tax filing, payment, and administrative deadlines. Deadlines and tax filings for fiscal year businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and certain estates and trusts will be extended until July 15th. This administrative act is an effort to relieve taxpayers during this pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the distribution of CARES Act funding. The CARES Act included more than $14 billion to provide emergency financial aid grants to institutions of higher learning. On April 9, the ED Secretary announced that more than $6 billion of this funding will be distributed immediately to colleges and universities to provide cash grants to college students who have been impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak.
Texas Update: Check out how much funding Texas has received for its COVID-19 response from the Department of Health and Human Services. See the funding breakdown here.
Governor Abbott waived regulations to expand telehealth options. This waiver will remove certain telehealth restrictions and expand the option for telehealth services for Texas patients during this Coronavirus outbreak. These waivers apply to speech-language pathologists and audiologists, behavior analyst, hearing instrument fitters and dispensers, and dyslexia therapists and practitioners.
Until next time, this is your doctor's note.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked additional funding for American small businesses.
“As the nation continues to fight this Coronavirus, Congress needs to show a united front,” Said Burgess. “By blocking additional funding, Senate Democrats have hurt American small businesses.
“Last week, over six million Americans filed for unemployment. It is disgraceful that Democrats have decided to put their partisan agenda before helping small businesses and their employees.
“The package put forward by Senate Majority Leader McConnell was designed to strengthen the Paycheck Protection Program. We must ensure this program remains available for our small business to maintain their payrolls to provide financial protection for their employees during this crisis.
“In the coming days and weeks, I hope my fellow members of Congress will cease playing partisan politics with our economy and focus on defeating this invisible enemy.”
The package put forward by Senate Majority Leader McConnell was designed to strengthen the Paycheck Protection Program. We must ensure this program remains available for our small business to maintain their payrolls to provide financial protection for their employees during this crisis.
National Update: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) integrated COVID-19 grant information into an online system available to the public. This online system, known as TAGGS, includes funding made available from the supplemental funding bills in response to this Coronavirus outbreak. This data can be further broken down by state/territory and HHS operating division.
The National Institutes of Health announced a clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine as a potential therapy for COVID-19. This clinical trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of this Coronavirus in adult patients who have been hospitalized. The first participants have now enrolled in this clinical trial in Tennessee.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission issued new warning letters to sellers of fraudulent COVID-19 products. Warnings were issued to Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, Savvy Holistic Health dba Holistic Healthy Pet, and CBD Online Store. These warnings were issued because the companies were selling unapproved products with false of misleading claims.
Community-Based Testing Sites will have the option to transition fully to state-managed operations. The federal government through HHS will continue to support these testing sites to ensure that states can fully manage and operate these testing sites independently. Following this transition, states can begin to choose to source testing kits and supplies through their own processes or through FEMA.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun implementing the CARES Act. The CARES Act includes $17.2 billion for the Veterans Health Administration. The VA has used these funds to hire new staff, purchase the necessary resources for patients and staff, add beds, and more. Additional provisions in the CARES Act regarding homelessness, telehealth, and State Veterans Homes are being implemented.
Missing Sports? The National Football League (NFL) announced a new charity event. The 2020 NFL Draft will serve as a three-day virtual fundraiser benefiting six charities including American Red Cross, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, United Way, and the CDC Foundation. This “Draft-A-Thon” will take place April 23-25.
Texas Update: Texas Department of State Health Services has issued new guidance for Texans on the frontlines of this response. New guidance is available for first responders and local jurisdictions, and for EMS transporting confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.
Reality Based Wellness is offering free self-care resources to hospital staff. Hospital staff dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression during this pandemic. Hospital staff is encouraged to register with their employee email address.
Until tomorrow, this is your doctor's note.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury released updated FAQs on the Paycheck Protection Program:
Also, here are helpful links provided by the Treasury Department for assistance to small businesses, non-profits, veterans organizations, and tribal businesses—as well as to some self-employed and independent contractors:
National Update: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved $34 billion for providers. This funding will be administered through an expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program. These payments are available to Part A providers, including hospitals, and Part B providers, including doctors and durable medical equipment suppliers. More information regarding eligibility and process are available here.
CMS has posted a letter to clinicians outlining actions CMS has taken to provide clinicians with maximum flexibility to provide patient care during this outbreak. CMS has worked to provide clinicians with flexibilities outline in this letter to prevent unnecessary regulations from hindering patient care. Additionally, CMS updated recommendations to postpone non-essential surgeries.
Today, CMS released new infection control guidelines. These guidelines are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect health care workers and patients and are intended to increase the flexibility of health care facilities to isolate and treat patients infected with COVID-19.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health and Services Administration awarded more than $1.3 billion to over 1,300 health centers. This funding will help these health centers on the frontline of this Coronavirus response continue the work they are doing to help American patients.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an update on serological tests. Serological tests measure the number of antibodies or proteins present in the blood when the body is responding to an infection. These tests can be used to monitor the body’s immune response to COVID-19. This will help us understand and identify individuals who have overcome the infection and developed an immune response.
Today, HHS announced contracts with General Motors and Philips under the Defense Production Act for the production of ventilators. General Motors is expected to produce 30,000 ventilators, and Philips is expected to make 43,000.
HHS also announced that it will provide millions of TYVEK protective suits for health workers. This announcement is the result of an interagency, international effort to bring large volumes of these suits, which are manufactured in Vietnam, to the United States.
The Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (H-ISAC) announced a new free Cybersecurity Assessment program. The ISAC center will be offering free, ongoing cybersecurity rating assessments to health care organizations across the world to be administered in partnership with RiskRecon, of Mastercard. This service is available to both H-ISAC members and non-members.
CDC released a report on COVID-NET about the hospitalization rates of individuals with lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the first month of surveillance in the United States. The data shows that the highest rates of hospitalization are found among older adults and those with underlying health conditions.
Texas Update: The Texas Medical Board released FAQs regarding supervision during this pandemic. These FAQs are based on Governor Abbott’s waiver of certain regulations surrounding the supervision of physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. These regulations have been temporarily lifted in order to help fight this Coronavirus.
Texas Health and Human Services announced an expansion of Texas WIC, a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. This will expand the number of food items eligible to be purchased through the program. Individuals can find more information on the Texas WIC website or by downloading the MyTexasWIC app from the app store.
Until tomorrow, this is your doctor's note.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health appeared on Newsmax TV’s Sean Spicer & Co. to address some of the policy issues that have arisen as a result of the coronavirus.
Here are the highlights:
Hydroxychloroquine – a treatment for COVID-19? “Here’s the deal: it is available, it is FDA approved. Your physician could choose to use an off label-medication that is something that we do all the time in medicine. An off-label use of an FDA-approved medication is not an unusual situation. What’s unusual here is that you have just so many people that potentially could benefit and with such a high number of doses available, it puts some pressure on people to make a decision pretty quickly.”
What should be done for the oil industry? What’s going on now between the Saudis and the Russians is not helpful in the long term. We’ve got a number of smaller companies, independent companies and even larger companies in Texas that are facing some serious cash crunches because they have serious problems with liquidity. I do think the President is correct to focus on this. We did this huge response package and did not allow for the refilling of the strategic petroleum reserve while the price of petroleum is cheap. You know, it’s the old economics 101 of buying low and selling high and right now it’s low.
Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) are sponsoring a bill to purchase $3 billion of U.S.-produced crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
The bill aligns with the request made by President Donald Trump and Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette to fill the SPR to capacity. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) are also sponsoring this bicameral bill, which will be introduced when Congress returns to session.
“The oil and gas industry is critical to our nation’s economy and supports more than 10 million jobs. With plummeting global demand wrought by the coronavirus pandemic and supply rising as a result of the Saudi-Russian price war, prices have fallen to their lowest levels in nearly 20 years,” Murkowski said. “We can provide some assistance to the industry by refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to capacity, and we should take advantage of this opportunity to buy low and buy American.”
Murkowski is the chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“With the unprecedented challenges we are facing as a country, from the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia to the demand-drop in oil due to our efforts to combat COVID-19, we must act swiftly to support America’s workers to ensure we can get the economy roaring again when we overcome this pandemic,” Sullivan said. “Funding purchases of oil produced in America for the SPR is one way we can fight back and support the hard-working men and women of our energy sector as we weather this storm.”
Lawmakers who have been pushing the Trump administration to exert more pressure on Russia and Saudi Arabia to end their oil price impasse, will be watching OPEC’s Thursday meeting with greater-than-usual interest as they determine next steps to shore up a troubled sector.
The virtual meeting, which was postponed from Monday, would be an opportunity for those countries and Russia to agree on production limits to stabilize markets, although an outcome is unpredictable.
Oil-state lawmakers have been worried about the impact of disruptions on their constituents — oversupply has pushed OPEC oil down to $23 and West Texas Intermediate crude oil to $26.97 as of Wednesday afternoon, well below the breakeven point for producers.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski is “closely monitoring” the discussions about oil markets and urging a diplomatic solution, according to Grace Jang, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Republican.
“A starting point is for the oil price war to be called off, with Saudi Arabia and Russia halting their plans to flood the market with unnecessary supply,” Jang said.
Russia’s demand that the U.S. also agree to cut production could be a stumbling block, according to Bhushan Bahree, an executive director at the global information and analytics firm IHS Markit.
“There is quite a lot of negotiating to be done,” Bahree, an expert in global oil markets, told CQ Roll Call. “It’s not clear that they’re on the brink of an agreement, but these things can happen quickly because the situation is pretty dire too.”
Unlike Saudi Arabia, where the oil industry is primarily run by the government, and Russia, where the government exerts control over companies drilling there, the U.S. cannot mandate production cuts as a way to mitigate the supply glut and prop up prices.
U.S. production is, however, expected to drop as producers run out of storage for their excess product while global demand remains low, partly because the coronavirus pandemic has dampened economic activity.
“With U.S production declining based on market forces, [Murkowski] is looking for countries with state-owned and state-directed enterprises to do their part to help rebalance the markets,” Jang said. “If an agreement cannot be reached, she will revisit options that are available to protect the domestic oil and gas industry, which supports more than 10 million American jobs.”
Murkowski and other lawmakers such as Sens. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., have asked the administration to push Saudi Arabia to abandon OPEC and partner with the U.S. to form “a free market energy powerhouse” that would counter Russia.
“If the Kingdom foregoes this path, the United States retains enormously powerful tools at our disposal,” the lawmakers wrote in a March 25 letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “In addition to the various types of aid and assistance we already provide — none of which should ever be offered perpetually and unconditionally — we are reminded of the levers of statecraft the Administration is empowered to exercise.”
Those tools, the lawmakers wrote, include “tariffs and other trade restrictions to investigations, safeguard actions, sanctions, and much else, the American people are not without recourse.”
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., and 48 other House members took a similar approach in a letter Wednesday to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
Following reports Wednesday that an increased number of oil-filled Saudi tankers were on the way to the U.S., Sen. Kevin Cramer urged President Donald Trump to reject the imports.
“Right now, the Saudis are sending a wave of supertankers loaded with crude oil to the U.S.,” the North Dakota Republican tweeted. “@realDonaldTrump: don’t let them unload on American soil. Whether through embargo or tariff, the Kingdom cannot flood the market then expect us to fix it.”
Trump has signaled he would be willing to use tariffs on oil imports to pressure the countries to stabilize the markets.
But besides increasing pressure on OPEC countries and Russia, there is little Congress can do to stabilize oil markets.
If the parties participating in the meeting don’t reach an agreement Thursday, they would continue negotiating, but the markets would be spooked.
“It would be a disappointment for the markets that have been anticipating that some resolution would result,” Bahree said.
In the meantime, lawmakers are continuing to push for the Energy Department to purchase oil and store it in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and soak up some of the overabundant oil on the market.
On Tuesday, a group of oil-state lawmakers, including Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., introduced a draft bill that would make available the $3 billion that the Energy Department has suggested it needs to buy oil for the national stockpiles.
“The shale oil revolution has been a tremendous boost both for our economy and our national security,” Hoeven said. “The combined impacts of COVID-19 and the global price war are a real threat to this critical industry and could undermine our long-term capacity for domestic energy production. ”
Rep. Michael C. Burgess, who sponsored the legislation in the House, acknowledged the possibility that Russia and Saudi Arabia may not reach a deal on Thursday.
“Remember their target is American energy producers,” the Texas Republican said. “They know large swaths of the U.S. energy industry have been negatively impacted by low oil prices.”
In the short term, Burgess urged his fellow lawmakers to address the storage problem by taking up the SPR bill, which he said would give producers “time to adjust to the changing global market” during a public health crisis.
“If Congress considers a fourth response bill, this legislation should be included,” he told CQ Roll Call. “To squander this opportunity is nothing more than legislative malpractice.”
The SPR is a critical asset to ensure America’s energy security, and President Trump is right to request the SPR be filled while prices are low.
This legislation provides support to American energy producers during this public health crisis, ensuring that made-in-America energy remains a strength for our country. Over the last decade America has emerged as a global leader in energy production. It is critical that this leadership is preserved and measures are put in place to ensure America’s influence on energy markets.
Through timely and prudent purchases by the Department of Energy, the United States will be able to improve its energy resilience, temporarily stabilize energy markets, and save taxpayers money over the long run.
National Update: The Small Business Association (SBA)has launched the Lender Gateway. The online portal allows lenders to submit applications to administer loans through the Paycheck Protection Program online. This Lender Gateway makes it easy for businesses to create an account and apply through the portal. Lenders who need assistance accessing SBA's E-Tran system may call the Lender Customer Service Line at 1-833-572-0502.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new awards for state and local jurisdictions. The CDC awarded $186 million in additional funding to help combat this Coronavirus at a state and local level. Check to see how much funding your state received here.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new guidance in the ongoing effort to respond to this Coronavirus pandemic. The FDA has issued guidance on clinical electronic thermometers, commonly used to determine whether a patient has a fever – a common symptom of COVID-19. The FDA also issued new guidance on infusion pumps and accessories to ensure the availability of infusion pumps during this time.
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to clinicians to outline certain flexibilities they have granted during this Coronavirus response. CMS also released updated recommendations regarding elective surgeries.
Eli Lilly announced a new $35 co-pay program for insulin. This new $35 co-pay is available through the Lilly Insulin Value Program. This program will help provide savings for people with commercial insurance and the uninsured. It is important that those individuals who need insulin have access to it, and programs like this will help.
A new alliance of plasma companies has been established to accelerate the development of potential COVID-19 hyperimmune therapy. CSL Behring and Takeda announced they will be working with Biotest, BPL, LFB, and Octapharma. The alliance will collaborate to develop a potential plasma-derived therapy for treating this Coronavirus.
Reminder: certain qualifying life events make you eligible for a special enrollment period. During this time, it is important to remember that loss of health coverage, including job-based, individual, and student plans, will allow you to qualify for a special enrollment period for individual market health insurance.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released new FAQs on the Paycheck Protection Program. The Paycheck Protection Program is administered by theSBA in consultation with the Department of the Treasury. These FAQs will be helpful for all those interested in applying and participating in the Paycheck Protection Program.
Texas Update: The CDC announced new awards to Texas to support the COVID-19 response.The CDC awarded $18 million to Texas, in addition to the $36.9 million Texas has previously received for this response. These funds will help protect and treat Texans during this pandemic.
Governor Abbott announces new incoming shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE). Texas received 2.5 million masks in the last two days and will receive an additional 3 million masks later this week. Governor Abbott additionally announced new in-home childcare access for frontline workers. More information is available on Care.com.
Parkland Health & Hospital System has organized PPE donation centers. Parkland has locations and times for donation of PPE available online. Goodwill Industries of Dallas are also working to collect, sort, and distribute PPE to health care providers.
Until tomorrow, this is your doctor's note.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health joined Mornings with Maria on Thursday.
Here are the highlights:
Question: “Is it too early to start adding more money to a potential fourth stimulus bill when it is really is not clear on how the third stimulus package will impact things?”
Burgess: “That’s exactly the situation, it’s way too early. Look, the month of March Congress passed three unprecedented bills. We are not even going to feel the effects of the small business loans until tomorrow. I do think it’s appropriate to take a pause and let’s see how they [Coronavirus Relief Packages] work, see how they don’t work, and see what needs to be fixed.”
Question: “If there is a fourth [relief] package should there be private partnerships in infrastructure?
Burgess: “There’s no question [that] the need for significant infrastructure investment exists, because it did before the virus started … Now a good idea might be that we do our job for a change, do the regular order. If there’s a [an infrastructure] bill that’s needed, then [Congress] should do our work. We should do the hearings, we should assemble the data, come up with a number, pass it on the House floor, send it to the Senate and then see if the President will sign it … These response bills are to help people through a tough patch.”
