HIDA has been driving legislation and collaborating with policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure that medical products distributors are included in the nation’s pandemic response. HIDA’s work on the issue during 2020 is highlighted below.
Driving Legislation on Capitol Hill
In the U.S. House
February: HIDA works with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) on a letter to her colleagues advocating emergency preparedness funding
April: Rep. Dingell and Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduce the Medical Supplies for Pandemics Act (H.R. 6531), which includes HIDA’s proposals
May: HIDA’s language included in the Heroes Act, which the House passes
July: H.R. 6531 is including in the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act, H.R. 7574
August: House Republicans include HIDA proposals in their Second Wave Project for U.S. pandemic response
In the U.S. Senate
May: HIDA proposals are included in bipartisan legislation, S. 3827
June/July: HIDA policies are included in Sen. Lamar Alexander’s pandemic preparedness bill, S. 4231, based on his earlier released white paper also referencing HIDA’s work
Advocating with Federal Agencies
February: HIDA provides input with the Department of Health and Human Services, Strategic National Stockpile, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on product demand and availability.
March: U.S. Trade Representative provides tariff relief for critical personal protective equipment (PPE)
April: HIDA and the American Health Care Association co-sign a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) highlighting the urgent PPE needs of post-acute providers.
May: HIDA President & CEO Matthew J. Rowan advocates at FEMA meeting for broad industry inclusion to distribute pandemic supplies under Section 708 of the Defense Production Act
September: HIDA testifies before International Trade Commission on pandemic supply chain issues
Educating Policymakers
June/July: 6,500 emails to House and Senate staff highlighting policy positions and educating the trusted role of distribution
July: HIDA Board Chair Chris Fagnani of Lynn Medical testifies before House Small Business Committee on supply chain resiliency
July: HIDA President & CEO presents PPE demand projections to Defense Department conference
August: HIDA white paper “A More Robust Supply Chain” amplifies distributors as trusted partners in pandemic response
Working in the States
April/May: HIDA engages with states that were proposing policies to commandeer PPE located within their state borders
June: HIDA and AdvaMed advocate jointly for industry inclusion in purchasing consortium for pandemic supplies
July: HIDA provides input to National Governors Association’s Second Wave document
August: HIDA works with stakeholders on recommendations to states for stockpile management and distribution
September: HIDA recommendations added to California stockpile legislation, signed into law