House Republicans concluded another productive week in session.
I started the week by joining a Ways and Means Committee field hearing in Denton, Texas on enhancing access to health care services, specifically to emergency services in rural areas of our nation. During the hearing, I highlighted the severe shortage of physicians and emergency health providers in Texas. I also had the opportunity to question the witnesses on what Congress can do to ensure patients have access to timely emergency medical treatment. I was glad to hear from the witnesses and host the Ways and Means Committee in our wonderful district.
After working on the Preventive Health Savings Act for over 12 years, this bipartisan legislation has passed the House of Representatives, unanimously. What a great win for the health care system. This bill will provide the Congressional Budget Office with a mechanism to analyze the long-term benefits of preventive health care measures while ensuring that we make informed decisions on future health care policy. I am grateful to the Budget Committee, Chairman Arrington, and Congresswoman DeGette for partnering with me and getting this bill across the floor. See my floor speech and statement here. Listen to my interview with Mark Davis on the bill’s passage here.
I concluded the week by attending the McGovern Medical School 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award Ceremony and was honored to receive the UT Health Houston Distinguished Alumni Award. Words cannot express how thankful I am for the significant impact my alma mater played in my professional career. From being a doctor for over 25 years to working on health care policies for the last 22 years in Congress, I am humbled and grateful for this recognition. I am glad to be an alumni of UT Health Houston.
Until next time, this is your doctor's note.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Congressman Burgess at the Ways and Means Committee Hearing in Denton, TX
