WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) introduced the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act, alongside Reps. Michael C. Burgess, M.D (R-TX), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Brett Guthrie (R-KY). This bipartisan legislation would establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to promote the recruitment of public health professionals at local, state, and tribal public health agencies. To be eligible for the program, individuals must be in their final year of pursuing a public health or health professions degree or certificate or have graduated within the past 10 years and go... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the GOP Doctors Caucus issued the following statement in response to updated guidance that members and staff are still required to wear masks on the House Floor and in committee rooms, regardless of vaccination status: “House Democratic leadership’s refusal to accept the most recent CDC guidance is sending the wrong message to the American people – that they shouldn’t trust the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. As physicians and health care providers, we know this couldn’t be further from the truth. The data is clear. It is safe for vaccinated people to ta... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the BIG Act. “The world of American students has been turned upside down because of this pandemic,” said Congressman Burgess. “It is important that as we are sending them back into the classroom, we are also taking precautions to ensure their safety on all fronts. The BIG Act is critical legislation that will equip schools and communities with the tools they need to ensure the safety and health of each student. By providing schools with best practices for be... Read More »
Dear Friends, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its “Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People.” Fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, and no longer have to socially distance. CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents ages 12 and older. $7 Billion will be allocated to CDC to support state and local public health workforce. CDC announced that the COVID-19 vaccine can be received at the same time as other vaccines. The CDC updated its COVID-19 transmission guidance. The Food and... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – On Friday, news broke that the Colonial Pipeline Company suffered a cybersecurity attack, causing a shutdown of their pipeline network. Seeking answers for the 26th District of Texas, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) wrote a letter to President Joe Biden and to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone. In the letter to President Biden, Burgess sought answers on the Administration’s response and how this can be prevented in the future. “The Colonial Pipeline is a critical component of our nation’s energy infrastructure. It carries over 100 million gall... Read More »
Washington, DC — Today, Congressmen Lou Correa (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced H.R. 3021 - the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation protects doctors and nurses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Correa said, "For the past year, medical professionals have been in unchartered waters. Our frontline medical workers, including doctors and healthcare workers, are fighting for us the best they can with the technology and information available to them right now. This bill assures that our frontline healthcare professionals continue to do what they... Read More »
May 7, 2021 Dear Friends, Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have helped millions of people regain their health not just physically but also mentally. This Nurse Appreciation Week, I am especially grateful for the talented nurses of TX-26 for all their hard work to save numerous lives during this unprecedented time. Nurses are not just health care providers, but members of our communities. They are our friends, family members, and neighbors. Thank you for all you do, not just during this pandemic, but every day before and every day beyond. National Update: Pfizer and BioNTech announced ... Read More »
May 4, 2021 Dear Friends, According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), a safety review assessing the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine found that 97% of reported side effects were non-serious. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) created the COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund (CAF). CAF was designed to cover the cost of administering the vaccine for those without insurance coverage or whose plans only partially cover vaccines. Eli Lilly and Company will donate baricitinib, a drug used to combat COVID-19, to the Indian government and accelerate the distri... Read More »
Congressional Motorcycle Caucuses raise motorcycle safety awareness Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), and the House and Senate Congressional Motorcycle Caucuses introduced a bicameral resolution to designate May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month promotes rider safety, education, licensing, and awareness in order to decrease the number of crashes. Motorcycles help to reduce congestion, are fuel-efficient, and have little impact on transporta... Read More »
April 30, 2021 Dear Friends, This week, I worked with Senate and House Republican doctors and health care providers to launch a campaign emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Through Operation Warp Speed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not skip any steps. Instead, they cut bureaucratic red tape, not corners, and got the job done in record time. Please join me in getting your COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our communities. By getting vaccinated, we can put an end to the government's restrictions on our day-to-day lives. National U... Read More »
