By Brian Babin As medical professionals and members of Congress, we have serious concern over the global spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. Since the disease emerged in Wuhan, China, widespread outbreaks have occurred in South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan. The number of cases in the United States continues to increase and will likely increase substantially as widespread testing begins. This isn't our first experience dealing with an epidemic, and as medical professionals, we believe the U.S. is prepared to effectively combat the virus. As is being widely reported, good hygiene will help combat the community spread of this virus. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if you haven't washed your hands. Avoid handshakes and, instead, try to bump elbows. Sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. Stay home if you're ill. Disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Postpone travel. Stay home as much as possible and avoid publicly congregating in order to flatten the curve and protect everyone, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. These are all commonsense measures to help prevent more widespread transmission. However, good hygiene isn't enough. This pandemic has been compared to influenza, both in terms of the virus' spread and symptoms. But there are key differences. Most significantly, we haven't yet developed medications or vaccines to fight this disease. Most Americans today consider the spread of the flu as potentially dangerous, yet manageable. The flu impacted 35 million Americans last year, causing over 490,000 hospitalizations and over 34,000 deaths. Without medicine or a vaccine, coronavirus has the potential to be more widespread and deadly than the flu. That's why we must take this threat seriously. Most individuals who contract COVID-19 will have mild to severe symptoms that resemble a cold or flu and will recover. However, a significant number will also require hospitalization. If these hospitalizations occur rapidly, it has the potential to overwhelm our hospitals. For instance, emergency room visits or necessary cancer care may be disrupted if our system is overcapacity. Therefore, we must limit the spread. Congress provided $8.3 billion in emergency funding to prepare for this epidemic. This funding will greatly expand the availability of test kits that are vital in our efforts to stop this illness. We can't fight the disease if we don't know where it is and who has it. Testing availability is expanding rapidly. Funding will also ensure our public health departments have resources to set priorities locally and will help develop vaccines and treatments to combat this disease. It is amazing that, in under two months, private companies already are developing vaccines -- a process that typically takes years -- with one already in the beginning trials of human testing. Yet, it may still take a year to bring a safe and effective vaccine to the public. Businesses and community institutions can also help reduce the rapid spread of the virus. For those staying open, easy steps include encouraging people to wash their hands; ensuring access to hand sanitizer; and sanitizing work areas and tools frequently. Businesses and organizers of sporting events and concerts should think about postponing or canceling large events -- if they have not already. Churches and civic clubs should discourage close-quarter contact or consider broadcasting services online. Businesses that allow telework should proactively encourage it and any schools that are still open should plan for closures. We are better prepared today for the COVID-19 outbreak because of the lessons we learned and incorporated from previous pandemics. In June 2019, President Trump signed the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act, which reauthorized public health and preparedness and response programs to give our health officials tools they need to quickly and effectively respond to an emergency. In addition, Congress substantially increased funding for key public health government agencies over the last five years. But more will still need to be done. This is a rapidly changing situation, so check in with health officials frequently for situational updates. With all the challenges associated with a pandemic, there is no country more capable to manage a health crisis than the United States of America. The authors are members of the GOP Doctors Caucus, which is composed of medical providers in Congress who utilize their medical expertise to develop patient-centered health care policy: Phil Roe, who represents Tennessee's First District; Andy Harris, who represents Maryland's First District; Buddy Carter, who represents Georgia's First District; Roger Marshall, who represents Kansas' First District; Scott DeJarlais, who represents Tennessee's Fourth District; Greg Murphy, who represents North Carolina's Third District; Brad Wenstrup, who represents Ohio's Second District; Brian Babin, who represents Texas' 36th District; Drew Ferguson, who represents Georgia's Third District; and John Joyce, who represents Pennsylvania's 13th District.

By Rep. Greg Murphy If there is one issue that all Americans can agree on these days, it is that prescription drug costs are too high. America must find a solution: a solution that lowers prices but at the same time does not stop life-saving medical cures from reaching the market. Unfortunately the Democratic House plans to pass H.R. 3, a misguided solution that would impose governmental price controls. Price controls have never worked, and they won't work to solve the high cost of prescription drugs either. H.R. 3 would likely lead to the elimination of several life-saving medicines for Americans. In countries that implement price controls, evidence shows that only a fraction of new drugs brought to the market are available. For instance, Australia had access to only 36 percent of new drugs released between 2011 and 2018 according to data collected by IQVIA. Canada and the United Kingdom hardly fared better with 46 and 59 percent availability of new drugs in their markets respectively. Meanwhile in the United States 88 percent of new drugs were available as options for disease treatment. Like every American, I want choices when it comes to the medicines that my family and I take. There are better ways to keep drug prices down while also maintaining the availability of life-saving medicines. As a practicing physician of 30 years (and by the way, I still practice while in Congress), let me offer a second opinion to solve the high cost of prescription drugs. Rather than instituting arbitrary price controls which will limit the availability of drugs, hamper the development of new drugs and potentially drive high paying American research and development (R&D) jobs overseas, Congress should pass legislation to rein in abusive practices used by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the "middlemen" between drug developers, insurance companies and pharmacies. Numerous states have lowered drug costs by passing legislation that regulates PBMs. Republicans in Congress introduced a bill earlier this week, H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, that would do exactly that and, more appropriately, strike the balance between lowering costs and fostering innovation. I proudly co-sponsored this action. By compelling PBMs to publicly report the amount they pay for drugs, they would be less likely to cut deals with drug manufacturers to maximize their profits at the expense of patients. America simply doesn't need middlemen driving up the cost of medications. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act would also help address surprise billing. By requiring companies to make drug costs available at the doctor's office, physicians could prescribe the correct and affordable options for their patients on the front end before they get surprised at the pharmacy. Further the bill would put an end to America's subsidization of the international drug market. Additionally, I believe Congress should deal with Direct to Consumer (DTC) advertising. The United States is one of only two countries in the world that allows DTC advertising and it is a practice that should be curtailed if not eliminated. A study conducted by Thomson Reuters Financial Data found that from 2011 to 2015, nine out of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. spent more on advertising than they do on R&D. Would you rather pay less for your medicine or see it advertised on television? This is a major reason Canadian drugs are cheaper. We don't need more Super Bowl commercials. We need cheaper drugs. As a physician, I promise you these advertisements do nothing to persuade which drug is the best to prescribe. They drive up the cost of drugs and that comes out of everyone's pocket. These are ways the United States can lower drug prices while at the same time supporting an industry that saves lives. Instituting price controls is not the appropriate response, and that is why I cannot support H.R. 3.