East Michigan News

Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously advanced H.R. 1082, known as the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act. This bill, introduced by Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, focuses on preventing tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks linked to tissue transplants. It mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct research and educational initiatives on this issue. Providers found responsible for future TB infections from tissue materials would face penalties under this legislation.

Congressman Moolenaar emphasized the significance of the bill, stating, "The tuberculosis outbreak in 2023 that tragically took the life of Shandra Eisenga should never have happened. Our bill honors Shandra's legacy by ensuring no one has to endure what she and her family went through. I am grateful for the bipartisan support of our bill, and I will continue my work to make it law to prevent future deadly TB outbreaks."

Echoing these sentiments, Congresswoman Dingell remarked on the importance of federal action: "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. I am thankful this bill passed Committee on a bipartisan basis, and am thankful to the Washtenaw County Health Department and doctors at the University of Michigan who recognized this issue requires federal government action. 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."

The legislation was inspired by the death of Shandra Eisenga on August 10, 2023, following a tuberculosis infection from an infected bone graft. She was one of 36 patients across seven states affected by TB due to contaminated tissue donations in 2023.