Bilirakis Continues Work to Help Patients, Consumers, and Families

Last night, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health advanced legislation to help patients, consumers, and families in communities across the country.

The subcommittee advanced several measures including H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act and H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.

"I am proud to cosponsor these two important bills which will have significant impact on my district," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act will address much needed mental health reform and the public health crisis we have been facing as a nation. Last year, I hosted several roundtables in my district, in which my several constituents shared the struggles that individuals with mental illness are facing on a daily basis, as well as potential solutions that can best address the needs and challenges of those we serve."

"I am also proud to cosponsor the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act which allows flexibility to allow local businesses to utilize alternative methods of food labeling that are appropriate for diverse business models and are less burdensome than the FDA's current regulations."

"These bills build upon our bipartisan record of success to improve our laws and help patients and families everywhere," Bilirakis added. "I am pleased we have worked together to advance this legislation and provide greater clarity, encourage transparency, remove barriers, and improve safety in our nation."

The Subcommittee also passed H.R. 3014, the Medical Controlled Substances Transportation Act; H.R. 3537, Synthetic Drug Control Act; H.R. 3716, the Ensuring Terminated Providers Are Removed from Medicaid and CHIP Act; and H.R. 3821, the Medicaid Directory of Caregivers Act.

Read text of the legislation and watch the markup here.