Partnerships

Enhancing Preparedness Through Public-Private Partnerships

The persistence of shipping bottlenecks and the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 have continued

to be top of mind for our industry. Despite these challenges, HIDA’s commitment to advance the value of distribution in healthcare remains unchanged.

HIDA has been working closely with the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where we continue to stress the importance of public-private partnerships to enhance preparedness.

Our advocacy has extended to include transportation. We have set up pilot programs with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to “Fast Pass” medical supplies quickly through the port and on to our customers.

While it is hard to predict the course of particular variants and their impact on supplies, distributors and manufacturers need to keep the flow of medical supplies moving. We have continued to urge all stakeholders in the supply chain to prioritize medical supplies to move faster, and with fewer delays.

Among our policy recommendations are the following: ʯ Expand Fast Pass Pilot Program: HIDA supports the expansion of the Fast Pass pilot program, especially to ports on the Eastern Seaboard. Research conducted by HIDA found that three of the four most congested ports for medical supplies could be found on the East Coast – at Savannah, New York/New Jersey and Charleston.

ʯ Lift Restrictions on Empty Returns:

The timely transport of medical supplies moves in a circle. For full containers to move out of the ports, empty containers must return.

HIDA recommends lifting restrictions on the return of empties in order to expedite the flow of containers.

ʯ Ground Empties: The movement of containers depends on the availability of chassis. But too many chassis are idled while they remain attached to empty containers. HIDA recommends grounding these empties, thereby freeing up chassis to transport more containers full of supplies.

ʯ No-Appointment Trucking for Medical Supplies:

The appointment-based system for picking up containers has contributed to terminal congestion. Delays at one appointment cause truckers to miss the next appointment.

HIDA recommends allowing trucks to pick up medical supply containers at ports without an appointment.

ʯ Pop-Up Ports Designated for Medical Supplies:

Pop-up locations have eased supply chain bottlenecks for many retailers. HIDA recommends designating space at lots outside the ports for medical supply containers for trucks to pick up.

Medical supplies need to be moved to the front of the line at ports, railyards and truck terminals. Public-private partnerships are vital to COVID response. The commercial market will continue to coordinate with government stakeholders to support providers. We will remain vigilant, no matter the variant.

Linda Rouse O’Neill, Vice President, Supply Chain Policy and Executive Branch Relations, Health Industry Distributors Association

The timely transport of medical supplies moves in a circle. For full containers to move out of the ports, empty containers must return.

LET’S MOVE

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