Rep. DeLauro Urges Trump Administration to Spend Congressionally-Appropriated Funds on Increased Production of PPE, Medical Equipment

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, April 4 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on April 3:

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Pete Gaynor, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec, FEMA Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force Lead Rear Admiral John Polowczyk yesterday requesting information on how the $16 billion appropriated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for medical equipment can be used to facilitate additional production of these materials. Connecticut--along with many states across the country--continue to face shortages of this life-saving equipment.

"My state of Connecticut's peak is forecasted to hit on April 15, less than two weeks from today, with a projected 43 COVID-19 related single-day deaths," said DeLauro. "The model created by the University of Washington sees Connecticut hitting 1,144 deaths on May 21, 2020, the first day with no projected daily COVID-19 deaths. Given the magnitude of the tragic loss of lives approaching Connecticut, we need ventilators and personal protective equipment immediately, so we can save lives. I do not consider the answer that help will not be coming anytime soon acceptable for my constituents and state."

"As the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, given the Congress appropriated more than $16 billion to acquire equipment last week, it is unclear what is being done to replenish the Strategic National Stockpile and get medical supplies to states as quickly as possible," continued DeLauro. "During this pandemic, it is imperative that steps are taken immediately to increase the number of ventilators, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and other medical supplies available to the country."

April 2, 2020

Mr. Pete T. Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472

Robert Kadlec, M.D., MTM&H, M.S., Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20201

Rear Admiral John Polowczyk, Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force Lead, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472

Dear Administrator Gaynor, Assistant Secretary Kadlec, and Rear Admiral Polowczyk,

I write with grave concern about the state of the Strategic National Stockpile. During this pandemic, it is imperative that steps are taken immediately to increase the number of ventilators, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and other medical supplies available to the country.

My state of Connecticut's peak is forecasted to hit on April 15, less than two weeks from today, with a projected 43 COVID-19 related single-day deaths. The model created by the University of Washington sees Connecticut hitting 1,144 deaths on May 21, 2020, the first day with no projected daily COVID-19 deaths. Given the magnitude of the tragic loss of lives approaching Connecticut, we need ventilators and personal protective equipment immediately, so we can save lives. I do not consider the answer that help will not be coming anytime soon acceptable for my constituents and state.

As the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, given the Congress appropriated more than $16 billion to acquire equipment last week, it is unclear what is being done to replenish the Strategic National Stockpile and get medical supplies to states as quickly as possible. I am very troubled by reports that upwards of 80 percent of personal protective equipment that is imported into the country by FEMA from abroad is going into the private market. It is very apparent that the private market has failed our public health system, with states being forced to compete against one another for supplies.

By Tuesday, April 7, 2020, I request the answers to the following questions:

1. How can the $16 billion Congress appropriated in the CARES Act be used to facilitate production of materials in light of the shortage of available products for acquisition?

2. If it cannot be used to facilitate production, please explain what are the legal barriers that preclude spending this funding on production.

3. Please provide a breakdown of the distribution of all PPE being imported by FEMA by sector and state.

Given Connecticut's impending peak of COVID-19, I reiterate that a response to these questions is requested not later than Tuesday, April 7, 2020.