December 12, 2023

CORREA, MOOLENAAR, DINGELL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO STOP TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAKS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the bipartisan Effective Screening and Testing for Tuberculosis Act. The legislation would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to put in place requirements for the testing and screening of tuberculosis (TB) in donor materials used in medical procedures.

The bill comes in response to a recent outbreak, where thirty-six patients in seven states, including California and Michigan, contracted TB after receiving a tissue donation from the same donor, with two passing away from complications—including Shandra Eisenga, who passed away due to complications from TB which she contracted during surgery requiring a bone graft.

“No family should have to endure the pain that Shandra’s are, not when the pain could have been prevented,” Correa said. “That’s why my colleagues and I are introducing this bipartisan legislation today—to require testing for tuberculosis from tissue donors, and ensure that outbreaks like this never happen again. The Department of Health and Human Services has a duty to step up in the wake of this crisis, and we won’t relent in our call for them to do so.”

“No family should have to endure the pain Shandra and her family have experienced. It is long overdue that the Department of Health and Human Services have requirements in place to stop TB outbreaks like the one earlier this year,” Moolenaar said. “My bipartisan bill is common sense, and will require testing for tuberculosis to help ensure TB outbreaks from tissue donors never happen again.”

“In the last two years, we’ve witnessed multiple cases of bone graft recipients suffering and losing their lives due to tuberculosis infection,” Dingell said. “This is a preventable tragedy, and we must do more to protect patients. This legislation will take meaningful steps to strengthen regulations and enhance TB testing and screening to prevent infection from HCT/P.”

You can read the full text of the legislation HERE.

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