DeLauro, Murray Request Status Update on Medical Equipment in Strategic National Stockpile

WASHINGTON, DC – (April 1, 2020) Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar sharing their concerns regarding a nationwide shortage of life-saving medical equipment—including personal protective equipment (PPE)—to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are reaching out today to share our urgent concerns about the nationwide shortage of ventilators, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and other medical supplies as the Nation confronts the public health emergency of COVID-19," said DeLauro and Murray. "This crisis requires coordinated leadership from the Federal government to maximize existing resources and disseminate necessary supplies to all of the States while simultaneously working to increase production of ventilators, respirators, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) quickly enough to save hundreds of thousands of American lives in the near term."

"Over the past four weeks, Congress has passed three emergency supplemental appropriations bills in response to the pandemic," continued DeLauro and Murray. "The first coronavirus supplemental—which focused on supporting State and local public health departments, as well as funding development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics—included $500 million for immediate procurement of ventilators, N95 respirators, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other personal protective equipment through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The third coronavirus supplemental—which provided direct funding for workers, families, employers, State and local governments, and the health care system—included an additional $16 billion for the SNS."

A signed copy of the letter can be found here, and the full text is below:

April 1, 2020

The Honorable Alex M. Azar II

Secretary

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretary Azar,

We are reaching out today to share our urgent concerns about the nationwide shortage of ventilators, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and other medical supplies as the Nation confronts the public health emergency of COVID-19. This is an urgent crisis for all 50 States, Washington D.C., Territories, and Tribes.

This crisis requires coordinated leadership from the Federal government to maximize existing resources and disseminate necessary supplies to all of the States while simultaneously working to increase production of ventilators, respirators, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) quickly enough to save hundreds of thousands of American lives in the near term.

Over the past four weeks, Congress has passed three emergency supplemental appropriations bills in response to the pandemic. The first coronavirus supplemental—which focused on supporting State and local public health departments, as well as funding development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics—included $500 million for immediate procurement of ventilators, N95 respirators, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other personal protective equipment through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The third coronavirus supplemental—which provided direct funding for workers, families, employers, State and local governments, and the health care system—included an additional $16 billion for the SNS.

As the Senior Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, it is critical for us to have up-to-date information on the status of resources in the Stockpile, including information on medical supplies that have been disseminated to States in recent weeks.

By Friday, April 3, we request answers to the following questions:

• As of April 1, 2020, how many of the following items were held in the Strategic National Stockpile:
  • Ventilators;
  • N95 Respirators;
  • Surgical Masks;
  • Face Shields;
  • Gloves;
  • Goggles and Glasses; and
  • Gowns.
• As of April 1, 2020, what was the aggregate number of each of the aforementioned items that have been disseminated from the Strategic National Stockpile to each State?
• How many additional ventilators and N95 respirators does the Administration expect to disseminate to States by the following dates:
  • April 15
  • April 30
  • May 15
  • May 30
• Please outline the formula or criteria the Administration has used to determine specific allocations of supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile to each State?
• How many ventilators and N95 respirators does the Administration estimate it will procure in the months of April and May for dissemination to States or placement in the Strategic National Stockpile for future public health emergencies?

Given the urgent circumstances, we reiterate that a response to these questions is requested no later than Friday, April 3.

As always, we stand ready to work with you to protect the health and safety of the American people.

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