Press Release  AG Healey Calls on President Trump to Prioritize Production of Protective Gear and Testing Supplies

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in calling on President Trump to fully utilize the Defense Production Act and immediately prioritize the production of masks, respirators, and other critical items needed by frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our health care providers, first responders and law enforcement are working round the clock to fight this epidemic and we need to do everything we can to keep them safe,” AG Healey said. “President Trump needs to step up and work with states to make sure our frontline personnel have the tools they need to save lives and protect themselves.”

In today’s letter, the attorneys general urged the President to make full use of the Defense Production Act to dramatically increase health care capacity, the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care providers, law enforcement and first responders, and COVID-19 testing capacity. The attorneys general state in the letter that the country is “on the brink of catastrophic consequences resulting from the continued shortage of critical supplies” including face shields, eye protection, globes, sanitizers, as well as reagents and swabs for testing.

The attorneys general argue that the federal government must act immediately and use its authority to distribute as many necessary supplies as soon as possible, so that states have the tools they need to fight the epidemic.

Last week, AG Healey led a letter calling on the Trump Administration to immediately launch an initiative to rapidly shift existing domestic manufacturing capacity to produce PPE and keep health care workers safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

AG Healey’s Office has spoken with hospital leaders across the state about this issue and is helping to get medical staff and first responders the supplies they desperately need.

Joining AG Healey in sending today’s letter are the attorneys general of Wisconsin, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

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