HIDA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
HIDA: The Voice for Distributors Throughout COVID-19 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 included 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
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
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
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 www.repertoiremag.com
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December 2020
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