Moolenaar, Dingell, Correa Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Stop Tuberculosis Outbreaks

Congressman John Moolenaar, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) have introduced H.R. 6705, the 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 the passing of Shandra Eisenga of Marion due to complications from TB, which she contracted during surgery requiring a bone graft. Thirty-six patients in seven states contracted TB after receiving a tissue donation from the same donor, with two passing away from complications.

“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,” said Moolenaar. “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. 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,” said Dingell. 

“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.

In August, Moolenaar and Dingell wrote to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf, calling on him to issue guidance on tissue donor eligibility following the TB outbreak earlier this year. The text of Moolenaar's legislation can be found here.