Moolenaar, Dingell Bill to Stop Deadly TB Outbreaks Passes Committee

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s bipartisan bill, H.R. 7188, The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act, was passed by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in a 40-0 vote. The legislation would require the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct research and education campaigns to prevent outbreaks of tuberculosis (TB) from infected human cell and tissue products. Additionally, the bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to update critical guidance for tissue product providers.

“I am grateful my legislation in honor of Shandra Eisenga passed the Committee on Energy and Commerce today with strong bipartisan support. This legislation will honor her legacy and help stop preventable TB deaths from happening again. I encourage my colleagues to pass the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act,” said Moolenaar.

“Shandra Eisenga’s death was a preventable tragedy, and we’ve seen far too many people lose their lives due to tuberculosis infection from bone graft material," said Dingell. "I am thankful this bill passed Committee on a bipartisan basis. We must do more to increase awareness of the risks of human cell and tissue product transplants and implement additional safeguards to protect patients from the dangers of these infections."

Moolenaar’s bipartisan legislation was introduced in response to the death of Shandra Eisenga on August 10, 2023, due to a tuberculosis infection that occurred through an infected bone graft. Eisenga was one of 36 patients in seven states to contract TB after receiving a bone graft from an infected donor in 2023.

Moolenaar’s bill is co-led by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.