SUCCESS OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL LIABILITY TRUST -- (House of Representatives - September 20, 2005) Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, just a little over 2 years ago Texas passed a constitutional amendment that allowed for caps on noneconomic damages in medical liability lawsuits. And what has been the experience in Texas over those 2 years? Well, we have seen insurance and doctors come back to the State. Texas had gone from 17 down to two medical insurance companies, and now they are back up to 12. Not-fo... Read more

There is a lot of talk and debate nowadays inside the Beltway on whether America is becoming more “red” or “blue.” While that may be an issue for the punditry to argue, it is undeniable that our country is becoming more “gray.” Most Americans have some experience with nursing homes or other long term care settings, and nearly half have had a family member or close friend in a home in the past three years. But even with this close familiarity to long term care, only a small minority of Americans ... Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) and Rep. Mike Rogers (MI-108) introduced the Medicaid Health Opportunity Act of 2005 which would help many of our most vulnerable Americans, including families whose resources were devastated by Hurricane Katrina, as they work to manage their health care needs with Health Opportunity Accounts (HOAs). The Medicaid Health Opportunity Act of 2005 will give states the option to enroll Medicaid beneficiaries into flexible consumer based accounts. Health Opportun... Read more

The saying goes "some people come into our lives for just a moment and leave footprints in our heart." Well, that’s exactly what happened on the tumultuous Thursday during the first few days after Hurricane Katrina. That night, a bus load of Louisiana evacuees stepped off the bus at the Tarrant County Resource Connection in Southeast Fort Worth where Congressman Michael C. Burgess has one of his district offices. From the bus emerged a petite woman with beautiful brown eyes that were filled with... Read more

"My prayers go out to those victims of Hurricane Katrina. I am working around the clock with local, state and federal agencies to assist those stranded and suffering all along the devastated Gulf Coast. This is all about neighbors helping neighbors. Our country has shown it can come together during times of great crisis, and we will rise to that challenge again now. We can help those in need by donating time, money and goods to those agencies organized to help during times of crisis." ~Congressm... Read more

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Opening Statement Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. Medicaid: Empowering Beneficiaries on the Road to Reform September 8, 2005 Mr. Chairman, thank you for this hearing today. I think that this hearing is especially timely in light of the national disaster that has befallen the Gulf Coast. Millions of Americans have been displaced from their homes and hundreds of thousands of Americans will need some kind of assistance to get back on their feet. I believe it is essential that we empower Medic... Read more

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, just before we left at the end of July, I received notice from the Department of Defense about the death of one of my constituents, Specialist Ernest Dallas , Jr., in the country of Iraq on July 24. I wanted to take some time this evening to talk about the life of Specialist Ernest Dallas . Many of the remarks that I am going to make tonight ... Read more

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS ENERGY AND COMMERCE HEARING RECOVERING FROM KATRINA September 7, 2005 First, I want to thank Chairman Barton for convening this hearing today. The Chairman has indicated that this will be the first of a series of hearings to examine impact of Hurricane Katrina. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many of my constituents have contacted me with concerns about price gouging by gasoline retailers. It is tempting to be led by emotion and make quick decisio... Read more

THANKING THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROVIDING RELIEF TO THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA -- (House of Representatives - September 06, 2005) [Page: H7649] GPO's PDF --- (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take this minute and thank the people of my home State of Texas for opening their hearts and opening their State to their neighbors in Louisiana. Almost a quarter ... Read more