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Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 2022

12/30/2022, 3:33 AM

Summary of Bill HR 6372

Bill 117 HR 6372, also known as the Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 2022, aims to improve access to medical supplies for Native American tribes. The bill recognizes the unique challenges faced by tribal communities in accessing essential medical supplies, especially during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill establishes a tribal medical supplies stockpile program, which will provide tribes with access to a range of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, testing kits, and other essential items. The program will be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with tribal governments.

In addition to providing access to medical supplies, the bill also includes provisions to improve coordination between federal, state, and tribal governments in responding to public health emergencies. This includes the development of emergency response plans tailored to the needs of tribal communities and the establishment of communication channels to ensure timely and effective coordination. Overall, the Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 2022 seeks to address the disparities in access to medical supplies faced by Native American tribes and improve their ability to respond to public health emergencies. By establishing a dedicated stockpile program and improving coordination between governments, the bill aims to ensure that tribal communities have the resources they need to protect the health and well-being of their members.

Congressional Summary of HR 6372

Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 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.

Current Status of Bill HR 6372

Bill HR 6372 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 11, 2022. Bill HR 6372 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on January 11, 2022.  Bill HR 6372's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. as of January 12, 2022

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 6372

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
6
Democrat Cosponsors
4
Republican Cosponsors
2
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 6372

Primary Policy Focus

Native Americans

Potential Impact Areas

- Emergency medical services and trauma care
- Federal-Indian relations
- Health technology, devices, supplies
- Immunology and vaccination
- Indian social and development programs
- Infectious and parasitic diseases
- Minority health
- Strategic materials and reserves

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 6372

Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 2022
Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 2022
To ensure that facilities of the Indian Health Service, facilities operated by an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or inter-tribal consortium, and facilities operated by an urban Indian organization receive items from the strategic national stockpile and qualified pandemic or epidemic products directly from the Department of Health and Human Services.

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