May 1, 2020

manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES BILL TO FEDERALIZE MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN, INCREASE NATIONAL PRODUCTION AND CREATE A FAIR PROCESS FOR SUPPLY DELIVERY

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced legislation that lays out a framework for an effective COVID-19 pandemic response by federalizing and adding critical oversight and transparency to the supply chain for critical medical supplies and equipment. The Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act requires the president to utilize all available authorities under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to mobilize a federal response to the pandemic through an equitable and transparent process.

“I continue to hear from all sectors of West Virginia - healthcare professionals, community leaders, first responders, business owners, concerned parents, and workers - about the need for personal protective equipment (PPE), additional testing, and resources. Companies across America are able to produce the necessary medical supplies we need to fight the COVID pandemic, but President Trump has yet to use the full authorities of the DPA to ensure they do. The Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act would allow us to immediately produce the supplies our healthcare professionals need right here in the United States so we can slowly and safely re-open our businesses and communities,” said Senator Manchin.

The Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act would:

• Require publicly reported national assessments on a weekly basis to determine national critical equipment supply and requirements.

• These reports will also identify industry sectors and manufacturers most ready to fill orders, stockpiles that can be refurbished or repaired, manufacturers that could expand production into PPE and medical supplies, and supplies and equipment that can be redistributed to new hotspots.

• These reports would also include direct outreach with essential employees and health care workers.

• Establish an Executive Officer to oversee acquisition and logistics for COVID-19 equipment production and delivery.
• The Executive Officer will have all the authorities available under the DPA.
• The Executive Officer is required to issue major purchase orders under DPA for supplies identified in the assessments, oversee all distribution of critical medical supplies, and make recommendations to the President on increasing national production capacity of supplies.
• The Executive Officer will be a civilian position appointed by the Secretary of the Defense and will be authorized additional uniformed and DOD civilian personnel in supporting roles.
• The Executive Officer will ensure that all unused supplies in excess of need will be turned over to the Strategic National Stockpile.
• The Executive Officer will terminate after confirming to Congress that all State and territorial medical supply needs have been met and national stockpiles have been replenished.

• Increase transparency regarding the distribution of supplies and equipment.

• The Executive Officer is required to publicly post all states’ requests for assistance, metrics and criteria for amount and destination of distribution, metrics for determining hotspots and areas of future concern, and production and procurement benchmarks.

• Require a comprehensive plan for COVID–19 testing, including viral and antibody testing.
• Establish a comprehensive plan to address necessary supply chain issues in order to rapidly scale up production of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Require a GAO report to identify lessons learned and make recommendations on future pandemic response.
• Establish an Inspector General to oversee implementation of the Act.

WV STRONG

I was always taught that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. It's my privilege to share some inspirational stories from those on the ground who are donating their time and energy to helping their fellow West Virginians. These are just a few of the countless acts of kindness happening in our state every single day. Share your stories or recommend someone to be recognized for being WV Strong by emailing WVSTRONG@manchin.senate.gov.

Today’s Better Angels are Morgantown’s teams at Little Caesars and Casa D’Amici, as well as all the local businesses who have been donating food and showing their support to our healthcare professionals. This recommendation comes from Kayla Parfitt and WVU Medicine’s 7 East Trauma Unit, which recently received pizza donations.

In Kayla’s words: “Our worlds have just been turned upside down. So the thought and support from the local business really keep us going and the 7 East trauma unit would just like to give a shout out to all the local business for all the love and support.”

WORKING FOR YOU

MANCHIN: WE MUST WORK ON COVID-19 SOLUTIONS, NOT MCCONNELL'S PERSONAL AGENDA

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to bring the U.S. Senate back into session in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic without any plans to address this crisis and instead confirm unrelated judges and Administration appointees.

“On Monday, 100 Senators from across the country will travel back to our nation’s capital. Some of these Senators will return from COVID-19 'hotspots' and others are battling cancer and considered especially high risk. I know every one of my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, take their oath to uphold the Constitution and do the business of the American people seriously. And there is no shortage of critical business to be done. West Virginia business owners are still awaiting PPP loans they applied for weeks ago, our brave healthcare workers don’t have the necessary PPE to do their jobs safely, we are months away from the medical breakthroughs we need to put the American people at ease and Veterans across the country are still struggling to get access to COVID-19 testing. It is shameful that Mitch McConnell is calling the U.S. Senate back to DC to vote on confirmation of his unqualified judge and nominees unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am eager to go back to Washington to work on the challenges our country faces with COVID-19 and the economy but not for McConnell’s personal agenda.”

WV 211

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is encouraging West Virginians to utilize the 2-1-1 program operated by United Way of West Virginia. 2-1-1 connects callers with health and human services resources through trained certified specialists. Anyone can call 2-1-1 to learn about specific programs, intake requirements, eligibility, operation hours and more.

“United Way of West Virginia provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number of resources available to aid with healthcare issues, food shortages, mental health questions and more. This program is more important now than ever as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and I commend United Way for continuing to serve their fellow West Virginians through this time,” Senator Manchin said.

“United Way’s new 2-1-1 will make information on a wide variety of local support services more accessible across our entire state,” said United Way of Central WV President, Margaret O’Neal. “Whether it’s information for locating a health clinic, finding child care programs, or getting housing assistance, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, go-to resource for individuals and families.”

To utilize these resources West Virginians can:

Call 2-1-1
Text your zip code to 898-211
Visit http://www.wv211.org/contact
Call toll-free 1-833-848-9905

RESOURCES

Our office is working diligently to bring you the most up-to-date information as it becomes available. Click the links below for more information. All information regarding resources and more can be found on Senator Manchin's website. 

Unemployment & Direct Payments

Veterans Assistance

Basic Needs

Business Assistance

Volunteer

Feeling Ill?

Any new or updated information will be posted below. All information is updated daily on manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus.

TESTING / COLLECTION LOCATIONS

Where can I get a test? This is a question my office has received since the beginning of this pandemic. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list; there may be more testing sites out there that are added daily.  In order to provide as much reliable information as possible, I am including testing sites that are verified through an official communication or news release.

I will keep this section of my newsletter and my website as up-to-date as possible.  For any organizations or health care organizations who would like their site listed, or who have updates on their hours or requirements, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov .

It is recommended that you seek testing only when you begin exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Click here to view the screening criteria. To report your symptoms and be directed to one of the available testing sites, contact your primary care doctor or a designated hotline for your area. Most, if not all, sites require a physician's order before testing. If you have gone through these steps and are still having issues getting a test, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov and a member of my staff will reach out to you to see if we can assist.

Click here for WV DHHR's latest updates to reported COVID-19 cases

Click here to find a testing site near you.

Any new additions or updates will be included below.

CONTACT US

Email: common_sense@manchin.senate.gov  

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Or call the Charleston Office Toll-Free: (855) 275-5737