CONCORD – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-NH, is backing the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act, legislation to force President Donald Trump to implement the Defense Production Act of 1950. This legislation would federalize the manufacturing and distribution of scarce in-demand medical supplies in order to cure the growing inefficiencies of 50 states and thousands of hospitals competing against each other for medical supplies.

Trump and his administration have told the American people on several occasions they have already begun this process, but there has been no meaningful action taken – leaving hospital and health care workers on the front lines without the proper protective gear and fighting against each other in a bidding war for supplies, officials said.

“It is imperative that our medical providers have the supplies they need to protect themselves and their patients during the coronavirus emergency,” Kuster said. “This legislation will get critical supplies to health care workers on the frontlines of this crisis and help to save lives in the process. This is a necessary step as we confront the threat of COVID-19 in communities across the country. I urge both House and Senate leadership to bring this legislation swiftly to a vote.”

The Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act, which has been endorsed by the AFSCME, would require the president to use authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to require emergency production of medical equipment to address the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, the bill would force Trump to identify private sector capacity to help provide at least 500,000,000 N95 respirators; 200,000 medical ventilators; 20,000,000 face shields; 500,000,000 pairs of gloves; and 20,000,000 surgical gowns in addition to other medical equipment deemed necessary.

The legislation would further require the administration to direct the distribution of these supplies, to end the unnecessary competition between states and health care institutions for these increasingly scarce resources. The Defense Production Act of 1950 confers upon the president a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industries in the interest of national defense. The authorities can be used across the federal government to shape the domestic industrial base so that it is capable of providing essential materials and goods needed for national defense.

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