Clear Skies On Capitol Hill?
New Momentum For HIDA’s Legislative Agenda

Key Takeaways

Movement In The Legislative Supply Chain

Healthcare distributors and manufacturers met with key Congressional staffers on issues of transportation and infrastructure, resulting in progress on H.R. 6140, a bipartisan bill championed by HIDA to create a “Fast Pass” system for critical medical cargo during a publicly-declared emergency.

Pivoting On Preparedness

Advocates continued to press for reauthorization of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act, which has been awaiting floor debate since July 2023. In addition to pandemic preparedness, HIDA stressed the role of PAHPA in response to natural disasters, and its critical mission to keep hospitals open during emergencies.

Cyber-Insecurity?

The 3rd Annual Preparedness Summit addressed how public and private sectors use technology to communicate more effectively. Foremost on the minds of policymakers was the issue of cybersecurity in the wake of the Change Healthcare attack. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offered best practices on how to protect data from hackers.

The keynote speaker was Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). Senator Collins was instrumental in passage of the PREVENT Pandemics Act, HIDA’s top priority in 2022.

Senator Collins authored provisions to increase make the medical supply chain more resilient, strengthen the Public Health Workforce through student loan relief, to provide professional development for HHS employees through fellowships and leadership exchange programs.

Attendees heard from Congressional staffers about how a bill really becomes a law, using the example of the bipartisan FAST PASS bill that HIDA has promoted on Capitol Hill.

Allie Cameron, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS), discussed the role of bipartisan cooperation that led to H.R. 6140 passing the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on a unanimous and bipartisan voice vote.

Sohini Gupta, Executive Vice President for Government Affairs & Innovations at American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) offered perspective about the impact of payors on the supply chain.

These sessions were designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of the current healthcare environment.

Fly-In By The Numbers

Members of the medical supply advocated for three key legislative and policy priorities during the Fly-In.

FAST PASS For Medical Supplies and Critical Cargo

H.R. 6140, the Facilitating Access to Swiftly Transport Goods during a Publicly Announced State of Emergency Situation (FAST PASS) is a bipartisan bill directing Secretary of Transportation to study efforts to expedite the movement of critical cargo through ports.

Reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA)

The federal government uses its authority under PAHPA to assist healthcare providers responding to infectious disease outbreaks and global pandemics, including Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19. It has also supported hospitals following natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and floods.

Supply Chain Resiliency Road Map

HIDA shared with Congress the findings of its recently published Resiliency Road Map, which articulated five pillars to support domestic manufacturing of medical supplies and maintain robust stockpiles. Executives advocated for a strategic blend of domestic, near-shored, and global production.

Elected Officials Representing 35 States – from Hawaii to Maine