Health Care

Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor requesting information on how the agencies plan to manage increased stresses on Missouri’s healthcare and hospital systems as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Hawley expressed concerns about potential hospital staffing shortages that could lead to restrictions on care, asking the agencies to consider contingency measures, such as deploying medical response teams to the state.

Today in the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing entitled “The Coronavirus and America’s Small Business Supply Chain,” U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned panelists on the United States medical supply chain’s dependence on China.

As the Coronavirus outbreak raises concerns of medical supply shortages, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) have introduced companion legislation to U.S. Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) Medical Supply Chain Security Act. The bill would strengthen medical supply chains by giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to analyze sourcing locations of medical products and help more quickly bring products to market should shortages exist.

Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley sent a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn demanding answers for how the FDA will mitigate potential drug and medical device shortages. The letter comes after Axios reported the recent outbreak of novel coronavirus has threatened the domestic supply of some 150 prescription drugs, including antibiotics, generics, and branded drugs. Some of these drugs do not have alternatives on the market.

Last week, I asked federal health and security officials about travel to and from China given coronavirus. With worsening conditions since then, it’s time to consider restricting all US commercial travel to and from China. Public health must be paramount.

“I’m thrilled that President Trump signed my bipartisan legislation to support the heroes of law enforcement into law,” said Senator Hawley. “This legislation will save lives by providing critical aid to officers in crisis.”

Sen. Hawley said, “I’m thrilled that Congress passed my bipartisan legislation to support our men and women in law enforcement. These heroes show up every day to protect and serve our communities, so it’s important that we show up for them.”

Today, Senator Josh Hawley, along with Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, Ron Johnson, Mike Braun, Kevin Cramer, Cindy Hyde-Smith and Dan Sullivan, sent a letter to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America asking that they provide solutions to address the rising cost of prescription drugs. Senator Hawley is committed to lowering the cost of prescription drugs and putting the American consumer back in charge of their healthcare decisions.

“This bill provides much-needed support for the men and women of law enforcement who keep us safe every day,” said Senator Hawley. “I am thrilled to see the overwhelming, bipartisan support for this legislation and hope the House will take action.”

“FEMA’s decision to bar federal employees from participating in US&R task forces doesn’t make any sense. We should be encouraging more people to help disaster victims, not less,” said Senator Hawley. “This legislation makes it clear that federal employees willing to volunteer in US&R disaster relief efforts should be allowed to do so.”