WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Subcommittee on Health Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) released the following statement after Energy and Commerce legislation to strengthen public health programs passed in the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support.
“It is important that our bipartisan collaboration on important programs for America’s public health has passed the House. The bills will help those who serve as primary caregivers to family members, reauthorize newborn screening programs, provide funding for Autism research, and more. Now these programs should be acted upon swiftly in the Senate; our communities will benefit from this important legislation," said Walden and Burgess.
Background:
Four health bills that passed in the House were recently forwarded out of the Energy and Commerce Committee from the full committee markup on July 17th. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
H.R. 2035, the “Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019", supports caregivers by reauthorizing state grants for respite services
H.R. 776, the “Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Reauthorization Act of 2019", aims to strengthen health and prevent death in children through reauthorization of grants that recognize treatment of children in emergency medical systems is different than adults
H.R. 1058, the “Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act of 2019" or the “AUTISM Cares Act of 2019", reauthorizes research funding and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
H.R. 2507, the “Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019", reauthorizes newborn screening funding and also encourages screening for additional disorders
