Bill Overview
Title: Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 2022
Description: 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deploy drugs, vaccines, biological products, medical devices, and other supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile directly to health programs or facilities operated by the Indian Health Service (IHS), tribes, or tribal organizations. Such supplies from the stockpile are used to respond to public health emergencies. Specifically, if HHS distributes pandemic or epidemic products (e.g., drugs or medical devices) to states or other entities, HHS must also deploy such products directly to health programs or facilities operated by IHS or other tribal entities. HHS must coordinate with states, programs, and facilities to ensure supplies and products are distributed to such tribal entities.
Sponsors: Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7]
Target Audience
Population: Native American or Alaska Native individuals relying on health programs or facilities operated by IHS, tribes, or tribal organizations
Estimated Size: 9700000
- The bill ensures that health programs or facilities operated by the Indian Health Service (IHS), tribes, or tribal organizations receive medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.
- The bill impacts Native American populations as it aims to provide equitable access to medical resources during public health emergencies.
- According to the 2020 Census, there are about 9.7 million people in the United States who identify as Native American or Alaska Native alone or in combination with another race, which would encompass the target population.
- Globally, the indigenous population is estimated to be over 476 million, though only a portion are in jurisdictions where this U.S. law would apply.
Reasoning
- The policy mainly benefits Native American populations as it aims to provide them with equitable access to medical resources during public health emergencies. This covers approximately 9.7 million people in the U.S., according to the recent Census.
- Given the limitations on the budget, the policy will likely prioritize those in most immediate need and facilities with the highest demand within the target communities.
- Some individuals outside the Native American communities, such as healthcare workers or policymakers, may also have indirect opinions on the policy's impact due to shifts in resource allocation.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse at a Tribal Health Clinic (Navajo Nation, AZ)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial because it ensures our clinics have the resources needed during public health emergencies.
- Access to supplies from the national stockpile can improve patient outcomes significantly.
- Having direct access means quicker response times in emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Community Leader (Pine Ridge Reservation, SD)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Act is a game-changer for our people, ensuring we aren't last in line for healthcare resources.
- We've seen shortages in critical medical supplies during emergencies, which this aims to address.
- Direct distribution avoids bureaucratic delays.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Public Health Researcher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a positive step towards rectifying healthcare disparities in indigenous communities.
- It creates an opportunity for longitudinal studies on the impacts of equitable healthcare distribution.
- The effectiveness will depend on coordination and quick implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Elder (Cherokee, NC)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring our community clinic gets supplies first is a comfort.
- My health has suffered in past emergencies due to lack of access.
- The long-term commitment of this act brings hope.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
IHS Facility Administrator (Anchorage, AK)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a direct line to national supplies is crucial for us in cases of epidemic threats.
- This will improve efficiency but requires robust coordination efforts.
- Long-term commitment is essential for sustained trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Public Policy Advisor (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a fulfillment of long-promised equity in healthcare access.
- Good policy must be followed with proper execution and funding.
- There's a risk of underestimating the coordination needed. Robust systems must back this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Non-profit Director (Portland, OR)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important that this policy is not just a mandate but is fully realized with adequate resources.
- Success will hinge on inclusive collaboration with tribal leaders.
- We must track the impact to ensure ongoing improvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Healthcare Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Quicker access to medical supplies during an epidemic is crucial for urban Native populations as well.
- Direct deployment has been needed for years to avoid delays.
- I would expect to see improved health outcomes, especially in preventative care during crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Pharmaceutical Policy Analyst (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The direct supply of protective and curative products ensures more equal health defense among tribes.
- This policy may ease pressure on the general healthcare system by distributing responsibility.
- Efficiency in deployment and coordination will be the true measure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tribal Community Health Liaison (Billings, MT)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our communities often feel like an afterthought when supplies are low; this policy helps counteract that.
- Having a reliable stockpile source will reduce backup processes that lead to delays.
- Need regular feedback with communities to maintain trust and adapt as needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $14000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $14000000)
Year 3: $11000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $16000000)
Year 10: $13000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $17000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring equitable access to medical resources for Native American populations, especially during public health emergencies, enhances health outcomes and fairness.
- Logistical challenges related to the distribution of stockpile supplies to remote tribal locations may require substantial coordination efforts.
- Potential initial costs in establishing new distribution chains and protocols with tribal organizations.