May 21, 2020 Dear Friends, Encouraging news from Health and Human Services (HHS) with the announcement that the agency will collaborate with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to accelerate the development and manufacturing of the company’s vaccine candidate. Also, HHS created a webpage with information about COVID-19 countermeasures. This webpage includes details about the government’s distribution methods of 600,000+ vials of remdesivir that was donated by Gilead Sciences. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will start accepting applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program on M... 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, led more than 30 Members of the House in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar. The letter thanks the Secretary and his team for the implementation of the CARES Act and offers some ideas for consideration as the agency continues its work to provide financial support for health care providers as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it requests that HHS consider nursing homes... Read More »
May 20, 2020 Dear Friends, The Health Resources and Services Administration will provide $225 million to over 4,500 Rural Health Clinics across the nation for COVID-19 testing. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional blanket waivers that will modify the data collection and reporting period for ground ambulance organizations. CMS also released information on billing codes for COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory tests. The Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission sent letters giving companies that are permitting COVID-19 pandemic-related scam robo... 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, introduced the Advancing 3D Printing Act. This legislation requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to undertake a study to assess the state of the 3D printing industry in the United States. This would include evaluating solutions to secure the supply chain and the appropriate federal role to increase and facilitate 3D manufacturing and innovation. “America is the engine of innovation,” said Burgess. “One maj... Read More »
May 19, 2020 Dear Friends, A major lesson from this Coronavirus pandemic is that we cannot allow China to gain an advantage in emerging technology industries. Today, I introduced the Advancing 3D Printing Act to ensure America continues to lead in the development of this technology. National Update The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released guidance to help state and local officials safely reopen nursing homes. The National Institutes of Health launched a study on the effects of COVID-19 during and after pregnancy. The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning regarding "SBA.com” —... Read More »
May 18, 2020 Dear Friends, This morning, Moderna made a big announcement that positive data emerged from the Phase 1 study of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service announced an extension of waiver approvals through June 30, 2020 for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a paper about the partnership of American and International institutions to collaborate on research and therapeutic develop... Read More »
by Eric Sagonowsky As the pandemic plays out, political divisions have unfolded around hydroxychloroquine and reopening economies, for starters. At center stage last week was a House hearing over ousted Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Director Rick Bright’s whistleblower complaint. While the hearing spanned numerous subjects relating to the U.S.' COVID-19 response, lawmakers and Bright spent considerable time discussing hydroxychloroquine. President Donald Trump backed the drug as a "game changer," but so far, hydroxychloroquine hasn't succeeded in any any large ... Read More »
May 17, 2020 Dear Friends, We have all heard about them. We have seen them. We may even know them. There are many stories of the unsung heroes working selflessly to serve others during these difficult times. In our homes, in our hospitals, and in communities across our state – Texans are showing up to put others first. Whether it’s a doctor or nurse working overtime, a neighbor volunteering to make masks, or a friend taking time to deliver groceries for the most vulnerable, let’s take the time to recognize these heroes across the 26th District of Texas. Nominate your hero by emailing a photo ... 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, spoke on the House Floor this morning about the importance of legislators representing those who elected them. During March and April, Congress passed four emergency appropriations bills. Implementation of these pieces of legislation is just beginning. It is critical that Congress is deliberate, studies and learns from action already taken, and then decides what further action is needed. The American taxpayer has en... Read More »
May 15, 2020 Dear Friends, Today, the House of Representatives considered two actions. The first, was a rule change to allow members to vote via proxy. And the second was H.R. 6800, known as the HEROES Act. Now do not be deceived by its name because it will not help our heroes battling COVID-19 on the front lines. During March and April, Congress passed four emergency appropriations bills. Implementation of these pieces of legislation is just beginning. It is critical that Congress is deliberate, studies and learns from action already taken, and then decides what further action is needed. The... Read More »
