U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Dec. 2 unveiled legislation that would establish and authorize a $1.25 billion grant program over five years to expand the nation’s domestic production of certain medical supplies.
Sen. Ernst sponsored the Mobilize America to Manufacture Equipment Required for Independence from Communist Adversaries (Mobilize AMERICA) Act, S. 4952, to help incentivize medical manufacturers to base and ramp up their operations in the United States.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant vulnerabilities of our supply chain and the United States has become far too dependent on other countries — including the Communist Party of China — for critical medical supplies, PPE, and pharmaceuticals,” Sen. Ernst said. “America must take bold action — in partnership with the private sector — to address these vulnerabilities in our medical supply chain and ensure we are prepared for future pandemics and public health emergencies.”
Under S. 4952, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Defense would consult on administering the grant, which would be authorized at $250 million per year for five years, according to a one-page bill summary provided by Sen. Ernst’s office.
The grant program would allow manufacturers to expand domestic production of drugs, vaccines, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies that are critical during a pandemic or public health emergency, according to the summary, and grants could be used to cover up to 50 percent of the costs associated with the building and assembly of manufacturing equipment or modifications or expansion to existing facilities to accommodate such equipment.
Most recently, 3M Forest City Distribution Center Manager John Geraci endorsed the bill, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.