AMR Action Fund CEO Henry Skinner authored an opinion piece for the Austin American-Statesman that warned about Texas’ steadily rising caseload of Candida auris infections and argued that it is illustrative of broader challenges facing the U.S.
“This is part of a much larger story—one the United States has been slow to confront. Drug-resistant infections, whether caused by bacteria or fungi, are no longer hypothetical threats. They cause nearly 3 million infections each year in the U.S., killing tens of thousands of Americans while adding more than $4 billion annually to health care costs,” Skinner wrote.
“Texans understand what it takes to confront major health threats that the market alone cannot fix. Through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the state has helped accelerate lifesaving cancer research by aligning public investment with long‑term patient needs while simultaneously stimulating Texas' economy, bringing in top scientific talent, and nurturing a biotech ecosystem. But drug‑resistant infections are not a challenge any one state can solve, and policy changes are urgently needed at the federal level to jumpstart the innovation this crisis demands.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives reintroduced the bipartisan PASTEUR Act, which would reform how antibiotics and antifungals are paid for, incentivizing investment in innovative therapies while supporting responsible use. As of this writing, however, none of the state’s congressional delegation has joined as a co‑sponsor.
We cannot ignore our way out of this problem. If recent history is any guide, Candida auris infections and deaths will continue to rise in Texas and across the U.S. Only policymakers have the authority to change this trajectory.”
Read the full op-ed here.