Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) released the following statements on H.R. 14, the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. Hudson, includes provisions under the jurisdiction of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Appropriations.
“Innovation paired with strategic deployment of resources are critical to helping us defeat COVID-19. This bill contains strong, bipartisan, and - most importantly - realistic measures we could pass today to help improve long-term preparedness, as well as assist with ongoing efforts to ramp up testing capacity and prepare for vaccine distribution. This bill takes the steps needed to begin improving the Strategic National Stockpile and strengthen our health care supply chains. Additionally, this measure further ensures Americans, especially seniors, can more easily access the care they need - from mental health to telehealth. I thank Rep. Hudson for his leadership on this bill and Leader McCarthy and Ranking Members Brady and Granger for their partnership," said Walden.
“I’m honored to lead this effort to pass targeted solutions to combat COVID-19 and prepare for future pandemics. This bill makes important reforms to our telehealth and mental health services. These vital improvements will help our seniors and those stuck at home. It also builds on our efforts to strengthen the Strategic National Stockpile, our testing systems, and our drug supply. With this legislation we can fulfill our commitment to America and defeat COVID-19. I thank Leader McCarthy and Ranking Members Walden, Brady and Granger for their partnership on this critical legislation," said Hudson.
The Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act is made up of over 50 bipartisan Energy and Commerce Committee bills.
The E&C provisions:
* build on the work done by the administration to strengthen our Strategic National Stockpile so we can better respond to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies;
* ensure Americans, especially seniors, can access the care they need - whether it be mental health or telehealth services;
* strengthen critical domestic health care supply chains;
* improve public health infrastructure;
* address COVID-19 health disparities; and
* double down on our efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and substance abuse disorder crises.
The full section-by-section for H.R. 14 can be found HERE.