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Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) provided the following statement after voting in support of funding to respond to the coronavirus:

“Ensuring the American people are safe is the most important job of government. I am relieved House Democrats agreed to put politics aside in order to join House Republicans in providing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and our state and local response efforts the additional tools and supplies they need in order to safely respond to and better prepare for the spread of the coronavirus. 

“However, this is not the first time we have boosted our efforts to combat infectious diseases and public health threats. I am proud to have supported the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAIA), which originated in the Energy and Commerce Committee and was signed into law last year. Importantly, PAHPAIA ensures health care professionals are trained to respond to possible pandemic outbreaks. It strengthens our national security by ensuring our National Strategic Stockpiles throughout the country have the equipment needed to respond to threats just like the coronavirus. Additionally, the legislation focuses on the needs of special populations including children, people with disabilities and seniors before and during a public health emergency.

“Thanks to this Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental, we will be adding needed funding for Medicare telehealth services, making more diagnostic tests available in order to test for the virus, supporting more treatments, investing in vaccine development, and ensuring we are better prepared for any future health threat.”

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