East Michigan News

Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. The legislation, named the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act, aims to reform the screening processes for tissue donation materials to prevent tuberculosis outbreaks. It mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct educational campaigns and impose penalties on tissue providers who fail to prevent such outbreaks.

The bill is named in honor of Shandra Eisenga from Marion, who died on August 10, 2023, due to a tuberculosis infection. She was one of 36 patients across seven states who contracted TB after receiving bone grafts containing infected tissue donor material.

Congressman Moolenaar expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support: “I am grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support for our legislation honoring Shandra's legacy. This bill will help prevent TB infections from bone grafts and save families from experiencing the pain and sadness that Shandra’s family has tragically endured. Our legislation accomplishes this by ensuring the FDA requires screening for TB and holds tissue suppliers responsible for infections they spread. I will continue my work in Congress to ensure this commonsense legislation is signed into law.”

Congresswoman Dingell emphasized the importance of education and safeguards: “Shandra Eisenga’s death was a preventable tragedy, and we owe it to Shandra, her family, and every other patient who has been affected by contaminated bone grafts to ensure we’re doing everything possible to prevent future cases like this,” said Dingell. “As someone who had multiple bone grafts after osteomyelitis, I was never warned about the dangers. We must do more to educate patients, make sure they are aware of the risks of human cell and tissue product transplants, and implement additional safeguards to protect patients from the dangers of these infections."

Dingell also thanked Moolenaar for his partnership as well as University of Michigan doctors for highlighting this issue: "I’m thankful to Congressman Moolenaar for his partnership, to the University of Michigan doctors who brought this issue to our attention, and most importantly, to Shandra’s family for their tireless advocacy. I am optimistic this legislation will pass the senate and be signed into law.”

Moolenaar previously spoke about Eisenga's story during legislative debates in December 2024 alongside her family.