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Today, Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19) joined Rep. Scott DesJarlais and over 50 House Colleagues in a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra voicing grave concerns regarding the department’s recent changes to the distribution of monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments. 

“At a time when our hospitals and doctors need life-saving treatments as quickly as possible, the Biden Administration is implementing a new bureaucratic process for mAb allocation,” said Rep. Arrington.“This burdensome process will cause supply delays and create a concerning shortfall of mAb in states like Texas. While the Administration claims this is a temporary measure aimed at ensuring equal access to these therapies, I have concerns that it was politically motivated to punish states with lower vaccination rates. I am proud to join my colleagues in demanding answers from the Biden HHS and will continue to fight for access to healthcare for all Texans, especially those in rural communities in West Texas.” 

Read the full letter here.

Background:

Last week, President Biden’s Health and Human Services (HHS) abruptly changed the allocation process for life-saving monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs, like Regeneron. These drugs can keep COVID patients from developing severe symptoms and have saved prevented thousands of hospitalizations. Prior to last week’s announcement, hospitals and providers could directly order mAb drugs from distributors, ensuring they had sufficient amounts to treat patients in their communities. Under Biden’s new allocation process, the federal government will decide what quantity of the drugs to ship to each state and territory, and state health departments will further allocate the state’s allotment to hospitals and other sites. Many states, including Texas, will now face a shortage of mAb drugs for COVID patients.

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Congressman Jodey Arrington is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving the Nineteenth Congressional District of Texas. He serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.