Burgess: 'I Want to Make Sure We Are Doing Everything in Our Power to Stop Ebola'
Posted by Jill Shatzen on October 16, 2014 | comments
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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), vice-chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, today delivered the following opening statement at a hearing to examine the U.S. response to the Ebola crisis, which has afflicted three people at a hospital just 35 miles from Burgess’ North Texas Congressional district:

America’s response to the Ebola Virus Disease is not a political issue. This is a public health crisis and a dire one at that. The frightening truth is that we cannot guarantee the safety of our health care workers on the front lines of response. 

In West Africa, there have been 416 healthcare workers who have contracted Ebola. 233 of them have died. That is a 56% mortality rate. 

As of today, two health care workers contracted Ebola in the United States. According to the CDC, they were exposed to the virus before Mr. Duncan, Patient Zero, was diagnosed. In turn, the focus must now be on preparedness for hospitals around the country. 

Indeed, we must learn from the current situation at Texas Presbyterian and use any information we can gather to help better prepare other hospitals around the country. 

We are here today because we need answers to our questions about both the CDC’s and the Administration’s flawed responses. While I believe the CDC had protocols in place, it seems to me there was a breakdown in the communication between the CDC and hospitals around the country.   

This past August, the Inspector General at the Department of Homeland Security issued a report on personal protective equipment and antiviral medical countermeasures. 

They found that, and I quote, “The Department of Homeland Security did not adequately conduct a needs assessment prior to purchasing pandemic preparedness supplies and then did not effectively manage its stockpile of pandemic PPE and antiviral medical countermeasures.” This illustrates just how unprepared we may still be.

Drugs companies are stating that they will have basic information on the efficacy of their drugs and vaccines by the end of the year. The end of the year is too late. We have been actively funding research on vaccinations and drug treatments for over a decade, but now the time to perform is now. When will these protocols be expedited?

Relevant agencies have the statutory authority to quarantine and isolate individuals who are infected with or carrying an infectious communicable disease. 

Secretary Burwell has this authority which is enumerated in the Public Health Service Act. When will this authority be used?
 
Numerous laws have been passed in the past decade to better prepare us for an outbreak of infectious illness, to increase coordination, and to fast- track drug development. The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Lurie, has been notably absent. 

I have a long-standing relationship with Texas Presbyterian. This crisis is in my back yard. I want to make sure we are doing everything in our power to stop Ebola.

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