Senate Bill Addresses PPE Shortage

December 16, 2020 by Alec Stone MA, MPA, Former ONS Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy

As the country sees dramatic spikes in COVID-19 coronavirus cases in fall 2020, political leaders are seeking to find solutions (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/insufficient-ppe-covid-19-and-cancer-mortality-rates-nurses-of-color) to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers on the front lines. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced (https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/protect-our-heroes-act-2020) the Protect Our Heroes Act of 2020 to increase the production of PPE (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/pandemic-advocacy-ppe-shortage-list-nurse-uncovers-data-error) and spur oversight into the supply and distribution of these necessary medical supplies. 

The bill would authorize (https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/protect-our-heroes-act-2020)

The bill would also mandate (https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/protect-our-heroes-act-2020) that:  

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) joined Baldwin in introducing the reform bill. 

“Our frontline healthcare workers still don’t have the supplies they need,” Baldwin said. “The Protect Our Heroes Act of 2020 will increase production of personal protective equipment and make sure our frontline workers have it to protect themselves, treat patients, and save lives.” 


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