Yesterday, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), was named Vice Chair on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), the incoming Chairman of the Committee, announced the members who will serve atop the six subcommittees in the 112^th Congress. Serving as the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Health will continue to afford Dr. Burgess to vigorously push health care issues, and cut wasteful federal spending.

“During my eight years in Congress I have been a strong advocate for health care legislation aimed at reducing health care costs, improving choices, reforming liability laws to put the needs of patients first, and ensuring there are enough doctors in the public and private sector to care for America’s patients,” said Burgess. “As the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Health, I will continue to put these important issues and the Medicare physician payment on the front line, and use every resource possible to repeal and replace the disastrous Democratic health care law.” 

The incoming Chairman named Dr. Burgess as the Vice Chair because of his medical background and legislative experience.

“Our top priority in the new Congress at the Energy and Commerce Committee will be repealing the job-killing health care law, and as Vice Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, Congressman Michael Burgess will be at the forefront of our aggressive repeal effort," said Upton. “Dr. Burgess has the legislative expertise and medical background to ensure this administration is held accountable and that Congress pursues constitutional, free-market reforms.” 

Speaker-designate John Boehner (R-OH) notes that Dr. Burgess has been at the forefront of the health care debate from the beginning.

“Dr. Burgess has been and will continue to be a top leader in the health care debate. As the Vice Chair for the Subcommittee on Health, he will play a vital role ensuring that everything possible is done to repeal and replace the job-killing health care law,” said Boehner. “He will also continue to be committed in advancing reforms that reduce costs, increase patient control, expand choice, and promote cures as the Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus. He’s been here every step of the way in leading legislation that will bring real reform to our health care system, and will continue to do this in his new role.”

Congressman Burgess will serve on the Committee with Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA), who was named the Subcommittee’s Chair.

“We are ready to take health care head on and will work together vigorously to keep the health care debate at the top,” said Burgess. “Americans made it very clear that the health care legislation that was passed this year was not the bill they wanted. I vowed to the American people that I would do all I could to rescue them from the consequences of this historic example of Congressional malpractice. This is an important step in that direction.”

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, and a member of the Health and Energy & Environment subcommittees. He is the founder and Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, and is also a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee. Prior to becoming a member of Congress in 2002, Congressman Burgess practiced medicine in North Texas for over 25 years.