H.R. 6878House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement improved, transparent processes for the use and distribution of supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:23 PM UTC

The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement clearer, more transparent rules for how the Strategic National Stockpile’s medicines, vaccines, medical devices, PPE, and related supplies are requested, prioritized, and distributed to states, localities, tribes, and territories. It sets a deadline of Jan 1 2021 for these rules, mandates that they be largely unclassified, and calls for a report to Congress outlining the new processes and communication recommendations.

Key Provisions

By Jan 1 2021, the HHS Secretary, working with the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and the CDC Director, must create and put into place clearer, more open procedures for how drugs, vaccines, medical devices, PPE, and related supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile are used and distributed.
The new procedures must spell out how states, local governments, tribes, and territories request supplies, the criteria the Secretary will use to approve or deny those requests, and the reasons for those decisions.
The rules must define when and how supplies are prioritized for different jurisdictions and set up clear, timely communication methods (e.g., calls, briefings) to inform requesters of outcomes.
The processes should distinguish between geographically‑focused emergencies (like natural disasters) and national emergencies (such as pandemics).
The procedures should be unclassified as much as possible, with any classified portions limited to protecting national security.
The HHS Secretary must report to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate HELP Committee by Jan 1 2021, describing the new processes, recommending ways to improve communication, and providing the report in an unclassified format (with a possible classified appendix).

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

May 14, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 14, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

May 14, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 14, 2020

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6878

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 14, 2020

Ms. Slotkin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement improved, transparent processes for the use and distribution of supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile, and for other purposes.

Improved, transparent processes for the Strategic National Stockpile

(a)

In general

Not later than January 1, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall develop and implement improved, transparent processes for the use and distribution of drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, and other supplies (including personal protective equipment, ancillary medical supplies, and other applicable supplies required for the administration of drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, and diagnostic tests) in the Strategic National Stockpile under section 319F–2 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6b) (in this section referred to as the Stockpile).

(b)

Processes

The processes developed under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

the form and manner in which States, localities, Tribes, and territories are required to submit requests for supplies from the Stockpile;

(2)

the criteria used by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in responding to such requests, including the reasons for fulfilling or denying such requests;

(3)

what circumstances result in prioritization of distribution of supplies from the Stockpile to States, localities, Tribes, or territories;

(4)

clear plans for future, urgent communication between the Secretary and States, localities, Tribes, and territories regarding the outcome of such requests; and

(5)

any differences in the processes developed under subsection (a) for geographically related emergencies, such as weather events, and national emergencies, such as pandemics.

(c)

Classification

The processes developed under subsection (a) shall be unclassified to the greatest extent possible consistent with national security. The Secretary of Health and Human Services may classify portions of such processes as necessary to protect national security.

(d)

Report to Congress

Not later than January 1, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—

(1)

submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate regarding the improved, transparent processes developed under this section;

(2)

include in such report recommendations for opportunities for communication (by telebriefing, phone calls, or in-person meetings) between the Secretary and States, localities, Tribes, and territories regarding such improved, transparent processes; and

(3)

submit such report in unclassified form to the greatest extent possible, except that the Secretary may include a classified appendix if necessary to protect national security.