Health Care
Brian has long said that health care needs a start, not a finish. With the passage of the 2009 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, our nation took a critical first step by giving millions of Americans access to health insurance, including those who had never had access before, like individuals with pre-existing conditions, and making sure that the high cost of medical treatments do not force families into bankruptcy. Brian supports efforts in Congress to come together across the aisle and improve the law, bringing down the cost curve and making the quality of care better for all Americans.
More on Health Care
Medical research, innovation and advanced treatments for many of today’s most challenging health issues received a giant boost with approval of a package of legislation included in the 21st Century Cures Act, passed by Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and fellow members of the House of Representatives this week.
Congressman Brian Higgins, NFTA Executive Director Kimberley Minkel, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County President & CEO Michael Weiner, and Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council Principal Planner Kelly Dixon
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced a positive step toward the goal of a change in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy banning gay blood donations.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announce overwhelming approval in the House of Representatives for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
Congressman Brian Higgins welcomed the White House announcement of a final rule expanding access to medication-assisted treatment for those suffering from opioid addiction, measures similar to those proposed in Higgins’ bill, the TREAT (The Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment) Act
Eight Upstate New York Members of the House of Representatives are inviting the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to choose Upstate New York as a location for one of its upcoming community forums to address the opioid epidemic.
In December the White House first announced that National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli will host community forums across the nation, with the first held in Oklahoma on December 16.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) has been awarded $6.2 million in federal funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) toward continuation of the Women’s Health Initiative at UB.
A Health Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce examined a number of bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the nation’s drug addiction epidemic, including the TREAT Act introduced by Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26).
Higgins also spoke about the issue on the House Floor:
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced today that Buffalo biopharmaceutical company Cleveland BioLabs, Inc. has been awarded a grant of up to $6.6 million from the Department of Defense. This award will fund a clinical study designed to support a Biologics License Application (BLA) for entolimodas a medical radiation countermeasure.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is calling on Congress to move swiftly to approve James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.
“As the world remembers the day forever etched in the hearts and minds of Americans, the best way to honor those lost is to look out for their families and the thousands who were present at the time of the attacks and in the days that followed,” said Higgins.