AHA, others recommend action to strengthen provider capacity, resources

The AHA and 17 other organizations representing health care providers, insurers, suppliers and others yesterday urged Congress to take certain immediate actions to strengthen health care capacity and ensure a stable supply of critical resources to address the novel coronavirus. 

“To meet unprecedented demand, the most critical supplies needed are equipment for testing, personal protection of care providers, and respiratory support for patient care,” the groups wrote. “We recognize that the President has invoked the Defense Production Act and urge the federal government to expeditiously move to spur massive, increased production, distribution, and access to gowns, masks, gloves, testing kits, testing swabs, and respiratory machines.”  

The organizations also urge specific actions to strengthen provider capacity and drive patients to appropriate alternative care sites, and to ensure continued access to critical medications and avoid supply-chain disruptions.