LEXINGTON, Ky. – Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) has just informed the Kentucky Department for Public Health that two trucks carrying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are en route to Kentucky, effective at 12:15 p.m. EDT today.

Last week, Kentucky epidemiologists contacted Rep. Barr with concerns that PPE stock in local hospitals would run low in the wake of increased health care needs due to the outbreak of COVID-19. PPE includes items such as masks, gloves, gowns and other critical supplies in high demand for healthcare workers.

Rep. Barr contacted Dr. Robert Kadlec, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), to relay these concerns last week and requested that Kentucky be given access to the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s largest supply of potentially life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, including masks and PPE, for use in a public health emergency.

Rep. Barr coordinated a formal request from the Kentucky Department for Public Health to HHS, which was received on March 13, and subsequently determined to “meet requirements.”

“I am thankful to Assistant Secretary Kadlec for his quick response to my request, and to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, for getting these much-needed supplies to Kentucky’s healthcare facilities for use as they work to combat COVID-19,” said Rep. Barr. “I stand ready to help facilitate these and similar requests from those on the front lines of this pandemic in the days and weeks ahead.”

Rep. Barr has scheduled a conference call today with top officials from area hospitals in Kentucky’s Sixth District to gather information about other needs they may have.

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