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U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) earlier this month helped launch the bipartisan Pandemic Preparedness Caucus to advance results-driven, bipartisan policy solutions for challenges presented by public health emergencies (PHEs), including the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“As representatives for the American people, we owe it to them to assess our country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and build strategic plans that better prepare the United States for future pandemics,” said Rep. Balderson, who is co-chair of the caucus launched on Aug. 7. “In order to fully restore Americans’ way of life and our economy, we must do everything in our power to ensure a better future, starting with the lessons from this pandemic.”

The new Pandemic Preparedness Caucus will focus efforts on strengthening America’s current response to the domestic spread of COVID-19 and equipping the United States to prepare for future PHEs.

For instance, the caucus plans to address related issues such as investments in science, research and medical technology; testing protocols and capabilities; preventative medicine; public health equity; biodefense issues; medical and other essential equipment supply chain security; and domestic manufacturing capabilities, according to information provided by Rep. Balderson’s office.

The caucus is made up of lawmakers committed to addressing these pandemic-related issues and includes co-chairs U.S. Reps. Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Lori Trahan (D-MA).

Rep. Trahan said COVID-19 has demonstrated just how unprepared the U.S. has been in responding to a pandemic. “This led to an insufficient response that has forced healthcare workers, public health employees and first responders to risk their own safety while they administer lifesaving services,” she said. “We owe it to these heroes and to all those we represent to use the lessons learned from this pandemic to improve our response to future surges of COVID-19 and other public health crises.”

“I am proud to join my colleagues to launch the Pandemic Preparedness Caucus to seriously evaluate our public health response, identify much-needed improvements, and coordinate our resources – federal, state, and local – so we’re ready for whatever we may face together in the future,” added Rep. Axne.