The United States cannot rely on China in a crisis. That is one of the clear lessons learned from the global pandemic.
The Chinese Communist Party lied about the virus, and people lost their lives and their livelihoods. China knew the risk, and the regime covered it up.
By the time the coronavirus hit America, China had hoarded the protective equipment we sorely needed. The Chinese government wouldn’t even allow U.S. scientists access to the country to help the world respond.
This is the frightening reality we face.
It is imperative for Congress to take all necessary steps to make sure our country is no longer dependent on China, especially not for critical medical supplies.
As a senator and as a doctor, I am committed to seeing that our nurses and doctors have our full support to care for patients on the front lines. This is not just a matter of public health; it is also a matter of national security. Our fighters in medical scrubs are every bit as important as our brave men and women in military uniform.
Clearly, the medical supply chain was ill-equipped to handle this epidemic. Surgical masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer quickly became scarce commodities. This situation cannot be allowed to repeat itself.
The Trump administration is securing the supplies we need to care for those affected by the coronavirus. President Trump used the Defense Production Act to spur domestic manufacturing and rush critical supplies where they were needed.
Now, Congress must secure our nation’s future and transform our supply chain and manufacturing industries.
China should cease to be a primary source of U.S. medical supplies and lifesaving drugs. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, China currently makes half the world’s masks. Ninety-five percent of U.S. ibuprofen, 70% of acetaminophen, and 40% of penicillin imports all come from one source: China.
I am working on practical policy prescriptions to address this issue. Senate Republicans and Democrats alike see a clear need for reforms.
First, we need to encourage companies to produce more medical supplies in the U.S. If another pandemic strikes, the public wants the assurance that we have the necessary supplies. It’s common sense.
This will take the commitment of the private sector as well as the government. Manufacturers of protective equipment, including 3M, Honeywell, and Kimberly-Clark, should commit to bringing manufacturing home.
Distributors such as AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson will need to adjust supply chains and routes to get critical supplies to where they are needed quickly. That will help our medical providers to stand up more beds, get more staff, and provide critical capabilities.
The response by all of these sectors has been good. It needs to be seamless. We know how to prepare quickly for hurricanes and natural disasters. Our preparation for a pandemic must be just as good.
Increased domestic manufacturing will require better distribution. We must continue robust investments in the National Strategic Stockpile — America’s repository of antibiotics and other critical medical supplies. Once supplies are produced at home, we must hold enough in reserve for a sudden surge in demand.
Hospitals cannot go without vital supplies. They are under enormous financial pressure. Unopened boxes on a shelf may seem like wasted money, yet supplies become priceless on the day they are needed.
We can dramatically improve flexibility by better communication with the states regarding the status of supplies. In an emergency, the government should be able to pinpoint immediately where supplies are located and in what quantity. This will ensure swift and transparent distribution to meet urgent needs.
America cannot be dependent on foreign suppliers. Not again, not ever. Restoring our nation’s medical supply chain must be our top priority.
Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, is an orthopedic surgeon and the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.
