Prioritizing and Allocating Health and Medical Resources to Respond to the Spread of COVID-19

What it means

This order invokes the Defense Production Act to prioritize and allocate health resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to direct production and distribution of critical medical supplies like personal protective equipment and ventilators to respond to the national health emergency.

Expected impact

• Increased federal control over the production and distribution of essential medical equipment during the pandemic
• Potential acceleration of manufacturing and supply chain adjustments to meet urgent healthcare needs
• Improved ability for the healthcare system to manage surge capacity as COVID-19 spreads
• Possible reduction in shortages of critical medical supplies in hardest-hit areas
• Enhanced coordination between public and private sectors to address the public health crisis