November 18, 2020 Dear Friends, It is vital that Congress understand how many labs have the required capacity and capability for conducting research on COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. To this end, I sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY) requesting that the CDC share full, updated data on domestic lab capacity with BioSafety Level 3 status. National Updates The Centers for Disease Control an... Read More »
by Kim Riley The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved 10 healthcare bills, including several aimed at tackling the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The measures advanced today aim to address some of the many challenges Americans are facing during this public health emergency, and we hope these bills are quickly passed by the Senate and signed into law,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), ranking member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a joint statement with committee members U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-TX) a... Read More »
by Damare Baker Lawmakers and experts on Wednesday discussed the crucial role technological advancements are playing in providing health care, particularly for diabetes patients. Despite medical innovations like blood glucose monitors, many Americans still have trouble accessing the proper tools for living with diabetes. Greater access to those technologies, lawmakers said, could improve the quality of life for the tens of millions of Americans who have diabetes. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), a medical doctor and member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, said federal agencies... 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 Senate sent his bill, the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA), to President Trump’s desk last night. “The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act will ensure that athletes’ rights are respected, whistleblowers are protected, and criminals are brought to justice,” said Burgess. “Professional athletes spend countless hours preparing to compete. They need to know that their effort is not tai... Read More »
Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR), Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY) released the following statement after 10 bills advanced by the Energy and Commerce Committee passed the House. “As we’ve said before, now is not the time to let our foot off the gas in combating the opioid crisis. Not only is the opioid epidemic worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic; we’re also seeing an uptick in violent crimes. Today’s bills build off less... 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 Republican Conference Leadership election: "Around the country, Americans voted resoundingly for House Republicans to deliver strong leadership nationwide,” said Burgess. “It is clear that with the right leadership the restoration of the majority is within reach for 2022." "House Republican leadership will be strong and forward thinking in the hands of Leader Kevin Mc... Read More »
by Jason Laday The American College of Rheumatology and 60 other health care groups have signed a letter in support of legislation that would ensure evaluation and management rate increases under Medicare without payment cuts to providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill, H.R. 8505, would implement the CMS Calendar Year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule as written, allowing for “long overdue” rate increases for E/M services provided by rheumatologists, neurologists and other cognitive specialties, according to an ACR press release. However, key to the bill is a 1-year waive... Read More »
by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Yesterday, the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (H.R. 835) passed the U.S. Senate, completing its course through both chambers of Congress. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for signature. Passage of the bipartisan legislation has been spearheaded by Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) and Commissioner Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) in the Senate and former Commissioners Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) and Rep. Michael Burgess (TX-26) in the House of Representatives. The bill passed the House of Representatives in Oct... Read More »
November 16, 2020 Dear Friends, Monday morning brought good news again for Americans: early data on Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows that it is 94.5% effective in protecting recipients from the coronavirus. The Phase 3 trial was conducted alongside the National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority with the results being observed by the Independent Data Safety Monitoring Board. Within the next few weeks, Moderna plans to submit an Emergency Use Authorization request for the messenger RNA vaccine candidate with the Food and Drug Administr... Read More »
On this week’s episode, we discuss the hard issue of maternal mortality. In the US, approximately 700 women die each year from pregnancy-related deaths which is the highest rate in the developed world. Representative Michael Burgess joins to help us understand why mothers are dying in pregnancy and childbirth and what can be done to prevent it. Rep Michael Burgess has served the constituents of the 26th District of North Texas since 2003. He is the most senior medical doctor in the house and has been a strong advocate for health care legislation aimed at reducing health care costs, improving c... Read More »
