[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 4, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL DEVICES

  (Mr. SCHNEIDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, we are all concerned about the growing 
spread of coronavirus, and these concerns are not relieved by troubling 
stories of shortages of critically needed medical devices, including 
respirator masks.
  Concerningly, as our healthcare system responds, it is exposing 
serious weaknesses in the supply chain for medical devices. These are 
products providers depend on to deliver lifesaving care.
  That is why, today, with my colleagues Jan Schakowsky from Illinois 
and Jody Hice from Georgia, I am introducing important, bipartisan 
legislation to help the FDA combat the threat.
  My bill would allow the FDA to act expeditiously to address 
shortages, including by importing medical devices as needed. It would 
ensure that the manufacturers are communicating with the FDA about 
expected shortages of medical devices and that this information is 
shared transparently with the public.
  The FDA already has these authorities to act during drug shortages, 
and we should grant them the same ability to respond to shortages of 
medical devices.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join us in supporting 
this commonsense bill.

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