The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 21 approved legislation that includes a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) to bolster domestic manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“One of the key lessons from the coronavirus response has been the need to break our dependence on China for production of medicines, PPE, and other critical medical supplies,” Rep. Walorski said. “We are taking a major step toward making sure our front line healthcare providers and other essential workers have the equipment they need to keep themselves and others safe.”
The House-approved Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2020, H.R. 7574, combined several bipartisan bills, including the Medical Supplies for Pandemics Act of 2020, H.R. 6531, which Rep. Walorski and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced on April 17 to also improve medical supply chain elasticity, and to enhance partnerships with industry to replenish existing stocks of medical supplies.
The larger H.R. 7574 includes provisions from Rep. Walorski’s bill to increase the manufacturing of critical supplies in America by creating a $500 million pilot program to diversify sources of PPE, and also would establish such industry partnerships, according to a bill summary provided by the congresswoman’s office.
“This unprecedented pandemic has demonstrated the importance of reinforcing our Strategic National Stockpile,” said Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN), who introduced H.R. 7574. “Our nation needs to fundamentally reimagine how we prepare for pandemics. From expanding state-level stockpiles to reinforcing our domestic production capabilities for critical supplies, this bill is an important step towards that goal.”
The U.S. Senate on Sept. 22 received H.R. 7574 and referred it for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.