With medical professionals at grave risk, petition calls on administration to use its authority to compel industry to rapidly ramp up production and ensure effective distribution of supplies including ventilators, masks, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) |
Alaska—A petition created by Nurse Donna Phillips calling on the Trump administration to do more to ensure the production and distribution of masks, other protective equipment, and ventilators has garnered more than 125,000 signatures (and growing) nationwide.
This comes amid the heartbreaking news that a nurse in a New York City hospital, Kious Kelly, passed away from coronavirus Tuesday after working without adequate personal protective equipment due to lack of supplies.
View Nurse Phillips’ petition, titled “Healthcare Workers Need Protective Equipment Now,” here:
Among other steps, the petition calls for the administration to use its authority under the Defense Production Act to compel action by private industry. The MoveOn petition is circulating organically on social media and is being supported by the American Federation of Teachers, of which Phillips is a member.
In the petition, Nurse Phillips states:
“Healthcare workers have shown their commitment to patients and the public. We need the same level of commitment from the Trump Administration and we need it now. We urge you to honor the bravery of healthcare workers by implementing the recommendations listed above. The nation’s health and our lives literally depend on it.”
“It is outrageous that Donald Trump and Mike Pence are prioritizing the interests of corporations over the needs of people in the face of the coronavirus crisis. Lives are at stake. They must change course and use their authority under the Defense Production Act to ensure the rapid production and distribution of ventilators, masks, and other personal protective and medical equipment,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn.
To speak to a healthcare professional about the urgent need for personal protective and other medical equipment, or to speak to an AFT or MoveOn organizer about work being done to encourage the Trump administration to stop holding back, contact Anna Zuccaro at [email protected]. |
Personal Protective Equipment
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces New Legislation to Scale Up Made in America Production of Medical Supplies and Personal Protective Equipment For Hospitals and Health Care Workers
Baldwin Plan will Require the Full Use of Defense Production Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced new legislation to expedite the procurement of medical equipment, under the Defense Production Act (DPA), to combat the spread of coronavirus. Despite multiple announcements, President Donald Trump has not utilized the federal government’s entire authority under DPA, so Baldwin’s legislation would require the President to do so in order to quickly produce and ensure access to supplies, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), for health care workers on the frontlines of this pandemic.
“Wisconsin hospitals and health care providers are currently facing a dire shortage of supplies and medical equipment, including PPE. The President needs to act now to give them the resources they need to fight this pandemic and this will require him to take action,” said Senator Baldwin. “My legislation will trigger the full authority of the Defense Production Act without delay so we can massively scale up production of Made in America medical supplies that our health care workers need to combat this public health emergency and save lives.”
Specifically, this legislation will:
- Immediately require a major purchase order for 300 million N95 masks, which will allow industry to begin scaling up production of masks and other PPE materials.
- Require the National Response Coordination Center to conduct a national assessment on current medical supply needs and a follow up major purchase order to fulfill the needs identified in the assessment.
- Waive restrictions on dollar limitations for orders executed under DPA and a 30 day waiting period for orders that exceed $50 million.
- Authorize increased funding for DPA accounts that are being considered for supplemental COVID-19 spending packages.
The full bill text is available here.