Moolenaar, Dingell Reintroduce Legislation to Prevent Deadly TB Outbreaks

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to prevent deadly tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in honor of Shandra Eisenga of Marion. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously in December, requires the Department of Health and Human Services to implement policies to stop tuberculosis infections through research and the screening of tissue donations. The bill must be reintroduced in the new Congress to have a chance of becoming law.

“The death of Shandra Eisenga was a result of a lack of oversight and accountability of tissue donation services. No family should have to go through what her family has experienced. I am re-introducing this bill today and urge my colleagues in the House to quickly pass it unanimously just as we did last year so we can make this bill law once and for all,” 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. "This bill will support efforts 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."

“The American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) commends Representatives Moolenaar and Dingell for their dedication to advancing tissue safety and donation awareness through the reintroduction of the Shandra Eisenga Tissue Product Safety Act. If enacted, this legislation would enhance healthcare practitioner knowledge of organ, tissue, and eye donation, and promote evidence-based methods to approach patients and their families. Additionally, the bill brings greater clarity to the Tissue Reference Group Process at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would provide much-needed guidance for tissue establishments. AATB looks forward to working with Congress and the FDA to drive this important legislation forward,” said Marc Pearce, President and CEO of the American Association of Tissue Banks.

The legislation is in response to the passing of Shandra Eisenga of Marion, on August 10, 2023, because of a tuberculosis infection, which she contracted after receiving a bone graft containing infected donor tissue material. After the bill first passed in December, the FDA took action to improve industry standards in the prevention of tuberculosis.

The text of the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act can be found here.