U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) introduced legislation this week that would force the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to analyze medical data, providing information on the savings of preventive health initiatives, beyond the traditional 10-year scoring window. The measure, Read more…

The leadership of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee voiced concern after a European Union court invalidated the safe harbors agreement — which allowed for data transfers between the United States and the European Union — on Tuesday.  The Read more…

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, who are also medical professionals, are applauding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) response to a measure aimed at decreasing unnecessary imaging diagnostic tests in the Medicare system. Under a regulatory framework outlined Read more…

After President Obama signed the Medicare Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Improvement Act of 2015 into law on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) released a statement discussing his support for the measure and the importance of the law, Read more…

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) joined other lawmakers in expressing outrage Monday over a report that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was hampered by process issues in protecting Americans on U.S. roads. Joining Upton Read more…

Following a hearing on the Takata airbag recalls, the U.S. House on Friday passed Rep. Michael C. Burgess’ (R-TX) amendment that allots $4 million to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure automobile product safety.   The amendment is Read more…

As concerns grow about the massive automobile recall linked to defective Takata airbags, the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, chaired by Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX), will hold a hearing on June 2 to discuss the issue. The Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) reintroduced legislation on Friday that would prohibit the use of federal funds to enforce energy standards for incandescent lightbulbs. This is the fifth consecutive year that Burgess had presented the measure, with it having passed Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade (CMT), praised the full committee on Wednesday after it advanced the Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters (TROL) Act of 2015. The Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced legislation on Thursday that would prohibit the domestic use of weaponized unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones. As presented, H.R.1939, the No Armed Drones Act (NADA) of 2015, would prevent the Secretary of Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) made an official request to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Wednesday to immediately address the recent hike in cases of income tax identification theft. Income tax identification theft is classified as the act Read more…

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) praised the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade on Wednesday after it advanced the Data Security and Breach Notification Act, which she co-wrote with Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT). Blackburn, who serves as vice chair on Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) introduced the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2015 on Thursday, which would discontinue the use of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. The act would replace the SGR formula with Read more…

The House passed two bills on Monday that would provide significant funding for trauma services throughout the country. H.R. 647, the Improving Regulatory Transparency for New Medical Therapies Act, and H.R. 648, the Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced legislation on Tuesday that aims to improve maternity-care access for patients in under-served and rural areas. Burgess was joined by a group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) presented legislation on Monday that would increase the opportunity for families to save money for health care expenses through the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Under current law, HSAs can only be purchased Read more…

Representatives Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) saw a pair of their trauma care bills processed from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce late last week. The Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act (H.R. Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) discussed the importance of the 21st Century Cures initiative on Wednesday in response to the release of the initial discussion document outlining proposals within the medical legislation.  “As a physician, my mission first and Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced legislation on Thursday that would essentially give all authority regarding the execution of drone strikes in international territory to the Department of Defense (DOD). Currently, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has the clearance to Read more…

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) introduced legislation on Tuesday meant to increase understanding and enhance the research of neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.  The Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act (H.R. 292) is co-sponsored by Rep. Read more…

Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) were among House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders who sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell on Friday regarding the ongoing Ebola outbreak, and the Read more…

H.R. 4701, the Vector-Borne Disease Research Accountability and Transparency Act supported by Health Subcommittee Vice Chairman Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas), was among four Energy and Commerce Committee bills approved by the House on Tuesday. “H.R. 4701 is an important bill that Read more…

Legislation introduced on Thursday by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) would provide U.S. military aid and equipment to Ukraine to help in its conflict with pro-Russian separatists. Under the bill, a lend-lease program would be established to allow the U.S. government Read more…

Bipartisan legislation unveiled by Reps. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday would take steps to protect the rights of living organ donors. The Living Donor Protection Act would prevent providers of disability, long-term care and life insurance Read more…

Legislation introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) last week would penalize certain foreign countries for each unaccompanied minor from the countries who crosses the U.S. border. The Unaccompanied Alien Children Assistance Control Act outlines a reduction in U.S. aid to Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) called for an investigation on Wednesday into reports that biological materials were mishandled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Burgess, the vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said on Wednesday that a system must be put into place to ensure new medical products are safe and effective without the regulatory system stifling innovative medical breakthroughs. Burgess, the vice chairman of the House Energy Read more…

A group of legislators recently called for President Obama to end his unilateral policy to defer federal action in response to illegal immigrant children that cross the Mexico-Texas border. Thirty-five members of Congress signed a letter that called for Obama Read more…

Legislators expressed disbelief and frustration on Wednesday during a congressional hearing about General Motors’ delayed response to ignition switch recalls. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations heard testimony from GM CEO Mary Barra and GM internal Read more…

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Thursday to discuss how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has impacted patient access to care. American Enterprise Institute Resident Fellow Dr. Scott Gottlieb testified that having health coverage Read more…

The Department of Energy (DoE) didn’t follow the law when it transferred uranium to a private company to prevent it from going bankrupt, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said on Monday. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) Read more…

Legislation introduced on Friday by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) would help combat increasing out-of-pocket healthcare costs by widening access to health savings accounts (HSA). Under current law, HSAs may only be used with specific health insurance plans and contribution limits Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) recently traveled to Ukraine as part of an international mission to monitor the presidential election to help ensure the integrity of the democratic process. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Read more…

Following recent reports of negligence within Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, lawmakers are calling for efforts to enhance transparency and accountability. A recent VA investigation found that medical records at facilities in Arizona and Colorado were misrepresented or falsified Read more…

Members of the House of Representatives recently stepped up efforts to investigate the attacks on American diplomats in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) introduced legislation last week that would offer a $5 million reward for Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said on Tuesday that legislators must empower doctors and pharmacists with tools to ensure that drugs are properly prescribed and administered to prevent abuse. Burgess, the vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Read more…

The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s leaders wrote to acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Cheryl LaFleur on Friday requesting information relating to the agency’s management of sensitive security information. The letter follows the recent release of a Read more…

A group of legislators asked Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday to lobby NATO member countries to end all defense contracts with Russia in response to its annexation of Crimea. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) was among 10 lawmakers who Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) called for oversight of the FDA’s allocation of resources to regulate the tobacco industry and the agency’s ability to implement laws on Tuesday. Burgess, the vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Read more…

Legislation recently introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) would cover maternity care under the National Health Service Corps program, which provides loan repayment for physicians who work in underserved areas. Burgess, a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist for almost 30 years, Read more…

The House of Representatives approved legislation on Friday that was introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) to repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth rate and modernize the system used to reimburse physicians. The SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act would Read more…

Congressional leaders lauded the Simple Fairness Act on Wednesday after the measure gained bipartisan approval in the House of Representatives. Rep. Lynn Jenkings (R-Kan.) introduced the measure to delay the Affordable Care Act’s tax penalty for individuals who fail to Read more…

The GOP Doctors Caucus backed policies on Friday that are included in legislation introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) to repeal and replace Medicare’s sustainable growth rate. The GOP Doctors Caucus wrote a letter to congressional leaders on Friday in Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said on Thursday that the current prescription drug distribution system cannot prevent the introduction of substandard or counterfeit drugs into the marketplace. Burgess, the vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) introduced bipartisan legislation on Wednesday that would reauthorize grant programs to preserve and modernize critical emergency care systems. Burgess and Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) introduced the Trauma Systems Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act. The measure Read more…

Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee questioned the Obama administration’s recent award of a contract for work on the Affordable Care Act’s healthcare exchange portal, healthcare.gov., in a letter sent on Thursday. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) recently introduced legislation that would prohibit the CIA from using unmanned drones to carry out strikes abroad and would vest that authority solely in the Department of Defense. A classified section of the omnibus federal spending Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) highlighted the impact of prescription drug shortages on the medical community during a hearing on Monday. Burgess, the vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, outlined the FDA’s role in addressing shortages, Read more…

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) recently introduced a measure that would repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula and replace it with a system designed by physicians to incentivize high-quality care for seniors. Burgess introduced the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Read more…