Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), participated in a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Road to Recovery: Ramping Up COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing, and Medical Supply Chain.” The subcommittee heard from public health professionals and supply chain experts on the state of U.S. COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and medical supply chains.

“In the year since this pandemic began, we have made significant progress with the development, authorization, and distribution of two safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines,” said Rep. Kuster. “At today’s hearing, appropriately titled a ‘Road to Recovery,’ we heard from public health professionals and supply chain experts that one of the keys to getting the COVID-19 crisis under control is ensuring we use these vaccines to their full capacity and improve our health information systems.”

“I am glad that Congress has put resources toward modernizing our public health data infrastructure, but it is clear that we need to do more,” Rep. Kuster continued. “While some public health departments have access to the latest and greatest public health infrastructure, others are still collecting COVID-19 case reports with pen and paper, and can only transmit that data via telephone and fax machines. I have already introduced two bills to address this crisis and improve our immunization infrastructure and bolster efforts to produce, distribute, and administer vaccines. Through my role on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue working to ensure that our supply and infrastructure meet the demands of this public health crisis.”

Witnesses at today’s Subcommittee hearing included:

• Luciana Borio, M.D.
• Vice President, In-Q-Tel
• Former Acting Chief Scientist, FDA
• Former Director for Medical and Biodefense Preparedness, National Security Council

• Greg Burel
• President and Principal Consultant, Hamilton Grace
• Former Director, United States Strategic National Stockpile

• The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt
• Founder and Chair, Leavitt Partners
• Former Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Former Governor of Utah

• Julie Morita, M.D.
• Executive Vice President
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Rep. Kuster has been a consistent advocate in Congress for more federal guidance for states as we continue to address the COVID-19 crisis. Kuster introduced bipartisan legislation last week to bolster and quicken our nationwide vaccine rollout. The Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act would improve and expand real-time communication between state and federal governments, as well as public and private health care providers, to ensure vaccines are being administered effectively and efficiently across all states and territories. Last month, she introduced the Coronavirus Vaccine and Therapeutic Development Act to ensure that the United States will be able to mass-produce and administer COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics quickly and efficiently. Last year, she released her Roadmap to Recovery, which details federal, state, and community actions to reopen the economy in New Hampshire and across the country and ensure no one is left behind as we recover from this pandemic.

Congresswoman Kuster’s line of questioning can be viewed here, and the entire hearing is available here.

###