Washington. The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) is urging the Trump Administration to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) in order to rapidly increase the nation’s supply of medical ventilators.
“America’s manufacturers stand ready to produce needed medical hardware,” said CPA Chair Dan DiMicco. “Yet we’ve heard troubling reports that some multinational ventilator companies are sending supplies to other countries and opposing the use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) during this shortage. As 54 countries have imposed export controls on needed domestic supplies, President Trump should use the DPA to make sure coronavirus patients do not die from a shortage of ventilators in our hospitals.”
The four largest ventilator companies, GE Medical, Allied Healthcare, Medtronics, and Philips, are hampered by shortages of parts in existing supply chains. CPA members are saying that existing suppliers have been unable to meet modest calls to double production. Any domestic ventilator production at this time must be prioritized for U.S. hospitals.
Many of CPA’s manufacturing members are engaged in voluntary, collaborative efforts to increase output of personal protective equipment. Some are working to reopen the nation’s only idle latex glove production facility. CPA’s textile members are helping to expand domestic output of masks and polyester swabs. And others on their own initiative have shifted toward production of face shields.
“To meet the sudden, massive demand for ventilators, our nation’s entire manufacturing supply chain must be fully mobilized,” said Michael Stumo, CEO of the CPA. “The Trump administration should use the Defense Production Act to require intransigent firms to increase output destined for sick patients in our hospitals. Our members can help if they receive prompt access to production specifications and capital in order to produce needed parts and equipment.”
