Invoking Defense Production Act for COVID crisis could save money, expedite vaccinations

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Produced by: 
KBOO
Air date: 
Thu, 01/28/2021 - 5:30pm to 5:45pm

 

The United States’ approach to tackling the coronavirus crisis is changing now that the Biden administration has taken office. They’ve announced a 100 day mask challenge, and are in the process of pushing Congress to pass more stimulus relief. The challenge of the pandemic has also shifted to include vaccination, to reach herd immunity. Concerns about supply, production, delivery and administration are top of mind. One proposed solution to these problems is to use the Defense Production Act. This act allows the federal government to require cooperation from companies when it comes to producing things related to American security. It can put federal contracts at the top of the line, subsidize manufacturing to make the process quicker, and at a reduced rate.

KBOO's Althea Billings with Ben Smilowitz Executive Director of the Disaster Accountability Project, to learn more about the Defense Production Act and how it might be used to further the Biden administration’s vaccination goals.

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