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Guthrie Releases Final ‘Second Wave Preparedness Project’ Report

Washington, August 20, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, along with full committee Republican Leader Rep. Greg Walden (OR-02), published the third and final report as part of their “Second Wave Preparedness Project” to provide recommendations for addressing a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Today’s report makes many recommendations related to the health care supply chain.

“During this pandemic all Americans, especially our frontline health care workers, have experienced the consequences of depending too much on foreign nations to meet our health care supply chain needs. It’s clearer than ever we must make the necessary policy changes and investments to incentivize domestic manufacturing of critical pharmaceuticals and other products. To prepare for a potential ‘second wave’ of COVID-19 infections, we need to improve coordination and management of our Strategic National Stockpile while also supporting states to strengthen their own stockpiles. As we approach flu season, we should encourage all Americans to protect themselves from the flu by getting vaccinated, and we should make testing more efficient by having tests readily available that can determine if a patient has COVID-19 or the flu. Now is the time to figure out how to put us in the best position to fight the Invisible Enemy in the fall and winter months. That is what our Second Wave Preparedness Project aims to do, and we’re proud of the work that has gone into this project,” said Guthrie and Walden.

Third pillar key recommendations summary and full report can be found HERE and HERE, respectively.

The second pillar report on vaccine and therapeutic recommendations can be found HERE. The Second Wave Preparedness Project announcement, which includes the first pillar report on testing and surveillance, can be found HERE. The three reports in total contain more than 100 recommendations for Congress, the Executive Branch, states, and other entities.

 

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