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Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Michael Burgess M.D. (R-TX) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act to increase patient access to best-practice specialty care through an innovative telehealth model.

This legislation would require the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration, to examine the benefits of integrating the Project ECHO model into local health systems across the country.

Project ECHO, first started at the University of New Mexico in 2003, is a continuing medical education model that uses technology, such as interactive videoconferencing, to connect specialist physicians with primary care providers in rural or hard-to-reach regions. This guided practice model has proven overwhelmingly successful in growing workforce capacity to provide best-practice specialty care and reduce health disparities.

“As a former practicing physician, I believe that patients should not have to compromise access to quality specialty and primary care based on their location in the country. The most efficient and effective way to ensure widespread access to care is by harnessing models that have proven successful during implementation on a smaller scale, like that of Project ECHO,” said Burgess. “I look forward to working with Representative Matsui to strengthen the collaboration between specialty care doctors and primary care doctors to help them better serve their communities.”

“Through the ECHO Model, both patients and providers benefit from a more efficient health IT ecosystem,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The model breaks down barriers in access to specialty care by increasing provider education and bolstering the workforce in underserved areas. In my district, we are seeing the promise of health IT with projects like the UC Davis ECHO Pain Management program, which uses video mentoring to support community primary care clinicians. The ECHO Act would maximize the opportunities of technology in a way that truly transforms our healthcare landscape. I look forward to continued collaboration with Congressman Burgess on advancing this important legislation.”

The bill has support from numerous groups including the American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).

“This legislation is noteworthy because it builds bridges in areas needing them. First, Project ECHO is bridging geographic divides to connect physicians and experts with patients in underserved, rural areas. Using new technologies, Project ECHO has potential to bolster access to specialists, reduce incidence of chronic disease, and rein in costs through reduced travel and fewer ER visits. This legislation would provide policymakers with critical information to expand such models to improve clinical practice. Second, it is an example of building bridges in Congress. This type of bipartisan, practical legislation is Congress at its best,” said Dr. Barbara McAneny, immediate past chair of the American Medical Association. “Finally, as Project ECHO is now working, it emphasizes collaboration between the local university and the local medical community, replacing competition for patients with an approach that focuses on convenience and access.”

“The Project ECHO model, which connects primary care providers to specialists, allows health center providers to develop the expertise to manage and meet the complex needs of patients within their own health center. This is especially important for health centers in rural areas, which often have less access to specialty providers and higher incidence of chronic diseases. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Burgess and Representative Matsui, the Expanding Connectivity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act, which studies the use of collaborative learning models, like Project ECHO, will provide needed information to further expand the integration of this innovative model and, in doing so, enhance patient access to quality care,” said Dan Hawkins, Senior VP, Public Policy and Research, National Association of Community Health Centers.

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Washington, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included an amendment sponsored by Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) that would allow Congress to see and evaluate the progress being made by the Pentagon on its required audit.

In 1990, Congress passed the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, requiring every federal Department and Agency to produce verifiable financial statements that could be fully audited. Almost 30 years later, every major agency has fulfilled this requirement with the exception of the Department of Defense.

Congressman Burgess’ amendment requests DoD to rank in order, from most ready to be audited to least ready to be audited, every entity within the Department that is required to provide financial statements for the overall effort of the Department-wide audit.

After working with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) for years on this provision, the amendment was included for the first time in the defense authorization bill signed into law last year. The Pentagon submitted the requested report to Congress late last year. It is important to continue oversight of the DoD by again requiring a report providing a comparison from year to year on auditable financial statements. It is Congressman Burgess’ hope that this will compel the Pentagon to conduct the full financial audit that is required of it by law.

“After 25 years of non-compliance with the law, I am glad the DoD is finally making progress. However, we must continue to put pressure on the Pentagon to comply with federal law in working towards a full audit,” said Burgess. “Our national security and defense is of the utmost importance; the Pentagon must be held to the same level of accountability that other public sector agencies are held to when it comes to the spending of taxpayer dollars.”

The amendment was cosponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT).

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Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, issued the following statement in observance of National Police Week.

“Every day law enforcement officers across the United States put their lives on the line to protect their communities and fellow Americans. In return, the House of Representatives is dedicated to ensuring our police officers feel supported and have access to the resources needed to carry out their duties. Particularly at a time when this heroic profession is under great criticism, it is vital that we recognize the noble sacrifices of these men and women. The simple presence of the police force in a community deters bad actors and provides a sense of safety and security for its citizens. I remain focused on protecting the police officers of the 26th Congressional District of Texas who tirelessly protect us.”

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, issued the following statement on the federal ruling in House v. Burwell, the House of Representatives’ lawsuit on Obamacare. 

“The U.S. District Court’s ruling is one step closer to victory for the American people and for the rule of law. The federal judge’s decision confirms that the Obama Administration has been unlawfully paying insurers without the required authorization from Congress—violating the law and seizing a role clearly reserved for Congress in Article I of the Constitution.

“Billions of taxpayer dollars were dished out illegally to keep insurers from fleeing Obamacare, yet premiums continue to skyrocket and insurers continue to withdraw from markets across the country. Our founding fathers created a system of checks and balances to guard against the threat of a tyrannical government—the Obama Administration must stop operating like a monarchy and respect the role of Congress. This is not only another great victory for the United States House Committee on Rules which crafted the resolution, but also for the constitutional balance of power.” 

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