Bill Overview
Title: Domestic SUPPLY Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a program and sets out other requirements to promote domestic manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) for infectious diseases and other public health emergencies. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a program to enter into purchasing agreements for PPE produced domestically by manufacturers that are majority-owned and -operated by U.S. citizens. HHS must coordinate with the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security on this program. In addition, the federal government must only procure, subject to limited exceptions, PPE that is produced domestically to prevent the transmission of an infectious disease. If using federal funds, states or localities must also procure PPE domestically. Further, the bill requires HHS to consult with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on a report about changes to federal requirements for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of those changes on health care workers who cared for patients in 2020 and 2021.
Sponsors: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Target Audience
Population: People using or involved in manufacturing domestic PPE for public health emergencies
Estimated Size: 18000000
- The bill aims to promote domestic manufacturing of PPE, implying an impact on manufacturers and workers in the PPE industry.
- Healthcare workers will be impacted as they are the primary users of PPE during public health emergencies.
- US citizens as a whole may indirectly benefit from improved preparedness for infectious diseases, influenced by better domestic PPE production.
- State and local governments will need to adapt procurement strategies to comply with using federal funds to acquire domestically produced PPE.
- The bill will particularly impact companies that manufacture PPE and their supply chain dynamics within the U.S.
Reasoning
- The policy mainly targets US manufacturers of PPE and aims to enhance domestic capabilities. Therefore, workers and businesses in this industry will feel the policy's effects most directly.
- Healthcare workers will notice changes in their work environment and equipment due to the focus on domestic PPE production. This change might affect their job satisfaction and perceived safety at work.
- State and local governments involved in procurement will have to adjust their purchasing strategies, potentially affecting efficiency and logistical operations.
- The budget constraints suggest that while a significant investment is being made, it is still limited compared to the entire PPE market, potentially restricting the policy's impact to certain areas or types of PPE.
- For citizens indirectly impacted, the policy's success will be seen more if it prepares the country better for future emergencies, likely perceived as a long-term benefit rather than immediately noticeable changes.
Simulated Interviews
Healthcare Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the focus on making more PPE domestically as it could mean better preparedness for future situations like COVID-19.
- I'm concerned about whether the new gear will maintain quality and if there will be a hassle in supply transitions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
PPE Manufacturer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a great opportunity for my business to secure contracts and grow.
- I worry about the rigorous federal standards we might have to meet.
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 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
State Procurement Officer (Austin, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might increase paperwork and compliance checks, which is a concern.
- On the upside, securing reliable PPE supplies is crucial for state preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Logistics Manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Domestically produced PPE means faster and possibly cheaper logistics, which is a win for us.
- We need to adapt our processes but that's manageable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Union Representative (Detroit, MI)
Age: 52 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- About time the government pushed local production, but it must ensure good labor practices too.
- We need improvements in worker conditions alongside plans for domestic PPE.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Public Health Official (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal support for domestic PPE is a relief in terms of public health crisis management.
- Implementation needs effective coordination across agencies to be successful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Domestic supply means more stability for my business in uncertain times.
- However, adjusting existing contracts could get complicated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Healthcare Intern (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s good to know that the government is investing in PPE, but quality must be consistent.
- Young professionals like me need to be protected, especially while gaining experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Veteran Hospital Administrator (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shift to domestic PPE should secure supply chains but may need significant initial adjustments.
- Long-term, this could simplify logistics if implementation is smooth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
PPE Designer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the focus on domestic manufacturing supports innovation and product testing which is great for designers like me.
- Demand will steer more innovative solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $550000000)
Year 2: $450000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $500000000)
Year 3: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 5: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $500000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $100000000)
Key Considerations
- The ability of the U.S. manufacturing sector to rapidly scale up PPE production and meet quality standards.
- Potential logistic and supply chain challenges transitioning from international to domestic suppliers.
- Demand fluctuations in PPE influenced by changes in public health guidelines or outbreak severity.
- Initial higher costs of domestic PPE production compared to foreign sources.