WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) issued the following statement regarding the latest confirmed case of Ebola in the United States, a doctor in New York who recently returned from Guinea where he had treated patients for Doctors Without Borders. A group of Republican committee members yesterday sent a letter to President Obama, Ebola Response Coordinator Ron Klain, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson seeking a detailed plan to address the ongoing Ebola crisis, prevent further spread of the virus, and ensure the United States public health system is capable of identifying and treating patients.
“As long as Ebola continues to ravage West Africa, the threat remains that it could spread to the United States and other countries around the world. This is precisely why so many members of Congress are pressing the administration for a clear strategy as well as any and all appropriate travel restrictions to address this crisis and protect the public health," said Upton. “With a disease as deadly as Ebola, we cannot afford to be reactive, developing plans ‘on the fly.’ As we have said, there is no room for error with this virus and we stand ready to work with the administration to finally get ahead of this situation. No one wants an ‘I told you so moment.’ This latest case underscores the sacrifices made by many health care workers on the front lines - valiantly trying to stop its spread in Africa as well as those caring for patients on our shores."
Energy and Commerce Committee leaders first sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking details on the administration’s preparedness and response efforts on Sept. 12, 2014. The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing last week in which they pressed for information and called for a clear and effective strategy.
