Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following after the House passed the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act. “This year, we have seen all Americans step up, including the men and women serving in our Armed Services. It is the Constitutional responsibility of Congress to provide for the common defense. My vote was based on my strong sense of duty to protect our national security and ensure that our troops have the... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 5534, the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 part of the H.R. 2477, the BENES Act of 2020. “Today is a monumental day for American kidney transplant patients,” said Burgess. “A new kidney gives hope of a better quality of life to patients, and by requiring Medicare to cover the critically needed immunos... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader for the 116th Congress Greg Walden (R-OR), Republican Leader for the 117th 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 bene... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, delivered the following remarks in support of H.R. 7898 and wished Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden farewell. As Prepared for Delivery: "I rise today in support of H.R. 7898, a bill that clarifies enforcement and investigative authorities of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to health record information blocking. In 2016, Congress passed the ... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, understands we cannot have a zero carbon future without considering nuclear energy, and the biggest hurdle is a solution for spent nuclear fuel. In a Dallas Morning News Op-ed, Dr. Burgess explains the importance of Congress following through and funding Yucca Mountain. The path to nuking carbon emissions goes through Yucca Mountain By Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. Dallas Morning News December 8, 2020 Congres... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health,announces University of North Texas TAMS students John Li, Jerry Liu, Nathaniel Brown and Zach Tang as the 2020 Congressional App Challenge Winners for the 26th District of Texas. "The Congressional App Challenge provides students the opportunity to expand their imaginations and become the next generation of technology builders. This year’s winners, University of North Texas TAMS students John Li, Jerry Liu, Nathanie... Read More »
December 8, 2020 Dear Friends, The Food and Drug Administration released materials for the Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting regarding Pfizer’s submission for authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Department of Health and Human Services will distribute $523 million to over 9,000 nursing homes that have successfully implemented infection control practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a study on Head Start and Early Head Start facilities who successfully implemented CDC guidelines, which allowed th... Read More »
The American College of Rheumatology has praised CMS for approving “long awaited” updates to cognitive care reimbursements for Medicare, increasing the amount for evaluation and management services. In a press release, the ACR stated that the update, part of CMS’ 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, clears the way for “much needed” increases in Medicare reimbursement for E/M services, including examinations, disease diagnosis, risk assessments and care coordination. “For many years, Medicare reimbursement did not adequately reflect the time and skill required to provide high-qualit... Read More »
by the National Kidney Foundation "The National Kidney Foundation applauds the passage of the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act in the U.S House of Representatives earlier today. "With transplant patients suffering disproportionately from the adverse effects of COVID-19, this legislation is more critical now than ever. Patients must be reassured that they will have access to their live-saving immunosuppressive drugs and that they will not need to worry about skipping doses because they can't afford the costs. "We sincerely thank Representatives Ro... Read More »
December 7, 2020 Dear Friends, The Food and Drug Administration scheduled a December 17 meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biologics Advisory Committee to consider Moderna’s request for emergency use authorization of its vaccine candidate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report reinforcing a combination of 10 evidence-based strategies that individuals, families, and their communities can implement to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services released $9.3 million in additional funding to 188 Rural Health Clinics nationwide for C... Read More »
