News

Reps. Dingell, Walorski introduce bill to shore up medical supplies in SNS

U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced a bill to shore up the medical supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile.

Their bill, the Medical Supplies for Pandemics Act of 2020, would strengthen the Strategic National Stockpile by enhancing medical supply chain elasticity, improving the domestic production of personal protective equipment, and partnering with industry to refresh and replenish existing stocks of medical supplies.

“Modernizing the Strategic National Stockpile and our medical supply chain is key to ensuring that frontline health care workers and first responders are never again left without adequate supplies of personal protective equipment,” Dingell said. “These much-needed reforms will strengthen domestic manufacturing of critical medical supplies like N95 masks while allowing increased flexibility to quickly scale up production of lifesaving equipment during emergencies.”

The legislation would authorize $500 million annually through fiscal year 2023 to implement a supply chain flexibility manufacturing program that would create incentives for the domestic manufacturer of medical supplies to enhance supply chain elasticity. It would also establish and maintain domestic reserves of critical medical supplies like personal protective equipment and diagnostic tests. In addition, it would work with distributors of medical supplies to manage domestic reserves held by the Strategic National Stockpile by refreshing and replenishing supply stocks.

“Health care workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus are risking their lives to care for patients and protect our communities,” Walorski said. “As we work to ensure they have the medical supplies and personal protective equipment they need, we also need to plan for future disasters by modernizing and strengthening the Strategic National Stockpile. This bipartisan legislation will leave us better prepared to avoid shortages of critical supplies and ensure a reliable domestic reserve of lifesaving medical equipment is available for the next crisis.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers were given expired and outdated equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. Also, there was a lack of critical medical supplies across the existing domestic supply chain, forcing the United States to rely on China and other nations for the manufacture of this equipment. The reforms would strengthen the ability to respond to future pandemics and public health emergencies.

Dave Kovaleski

Recent Posts

Dozens of federal lawmakers oppose Air Force proposal to reassign National Guard units out of governors’ authority

Opposition rose this week against a proposal from the U.S. Air Force within the FY…

19 hours ago

New federal report connects emergency responders with non-detonable training aids for explosive detection dogs

In order to properly prepare working canines for explosives detection, the Department of Homeland Security…

19 hours ago

Border Security and Enforcement Block Grant Act proposes federal grant funding for physical border barriers

Through new legislation, U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Mike Turner (R-OH) recently placed themselves…

2 days ago

Avian flu outbreak prompts Congressional request for interagency coordination

Fearing the potential behind a recent outbreak of avian flu (H5N1), 17 U.S. senators wrote…

2 days ago

New Raytheon advanced ground system gives U.S. advanced warning for space-based missiles

Thanks to work by Raytheon, an advanced new ground system for space-based missile warning recently…

3 days ago

FBI Report: Older population hit by more than $3.4B in scam losses in 2023

According to the latest Elder Fraud Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 2023…

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.