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(CNN) The federal government must take “urgent action” in its response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report from the US Government Accountability Office.
Shortages of medical supplies persist, despite efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to alleviate shortages and expand the supply chain, according to the report.
U.S. states and territories are concerned about the continued shortage of certain Covid-19 testing equipment and medical supplies, including rapid point-of-care tests and reagents needed for testing and nitrile gloves, a report revealed. October GAO survey. About a third of the states that responded said they were “greatly” or “completely” concerned about having enough vaccine-related supplies to administer a potential Covid-19 vaccine, and 21 other states said they were ‘they were “moderately concerned”.
GAO made recommendations to HHS and FEMA in September, but they have not been implemented.
“In light of the surge in COVID-19 cases, as well as reported shortages, including the results of the GAO national investigation, GAO stresses the critical imperative for HHS and FEMA to implement the GAO’s September 2020 recommendations, ”GAO, an independent agency that serves as the investigative arm of Congress, said in its report.
In an attached response to the GAO report, Sarah Arbes, HHS deputy secretary for legislation, said the agency “disagreed” with the findings on the shortages and suggested the report was “too vague” in its recommendations on how best to help states. meet testing and supply needs.
The new report is also concerned about changes made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to screening strategy and guidelines, saying the CDC has not been transparent about the changes.
“The GAO recommends that the HHS ensure that the CDC clearly discloses the scientific rationale for any change in testing guidelines at the time the change is made,” the report said.
The GAO report made 11 recommendations to improve the federal response to the pandemic. It recommended that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services quickly develop a plan to respond to 27 recommendations from the Coronavirus Commission analysis on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes, a report released on September 16.
The GAO report also recommended that the Department of Veterans Affairs develop a plan to inspect the homes of veterans in the state and “collect timely data on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the homes of veterans. combatants from each state ”.
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