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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to prevent deadly tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in honor of Shandra Eisenga of Marion, Michigan. The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Products Safety Act, 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.

"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 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,” said Moolenaar. “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.”

The bill comes as a response to the passing of Shandra Eisenga, of Marion, on August 10, 2023, due to complications from tuberculosis infection. Eisenga contracted TB after receiving a bone graft in April 2023 using a tissue donation from an infected donor. Shandra was one of 36 patients in seven states to contract TB from a tissue donation originating from this donor, resulting in two deaths. After the bill passed last December, the FDA took action to improve industry standards in the prevention of tuberculosis.

The legislation addresses the spread of tuberculosis in human cell and tissue products by conducting a national, evidence-based educational campaign to increase public and health care provider awareness regarding the risks of HCTP transplants so that patients understand their risks. The bill also requires a report to Congress on HCTP accreditation, FDA inspection activities, and recommendations on potential guidance to be issued. It also creates a civil penalty for companies that have violations not meeting compliance standards.