Rep. Thompson seeks more information on protective equipment from HHS

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) is seeking more information from Trump administration officials on the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical medical equipment and supplies available in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently shipping this equipment to various states but has not provided any specific numbers on the availability of PPE or the schedule for distribution of this equipment to the states.

“Given the rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S., it is critical that we have a full and accurate account of the availability of the medical supplies needed to test and treat the American public and I, therefore, ask that the Administration provide this essential information to the Committee by Friday,” Thompson, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, wrote to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

Thompson is also seeking more information on a recent $500 million HHS contract for masks to be delivered over the next 18 months. Thompson said a full accounting of this these supplies must be made available as it is critical to the response to the coronavirus pandemic.