Rep. Takano Statement on HHS Investigation Finding that HHS Officials Responding to Evacuees from Wuhan, China at March Air Reserve Base Lacked Proper Training and Equipment
Riverside, CA – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following reports that the Immediate Office of the General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that HHS officials responding to evacuees from Wuhan, China at March Air Reserve Base and other bases in California lacked adequate protective gear and equipment or training.
“The findings of this investigation corroborate the allegations made in the whistleblower complaint filed by a senior HHS official and they are incredibly concerning. By failing to provide HHS officials responding to evacuees at March Air Reserve Base and other bases in California with adequate proper personal protective equipment or training, these officials risked exposing themselves and others to COVID-19.
“Upon learning about the whistleblower allegations back in February, I immediately demanded more information and briefings from HHS and the CDC about the implications these allegations could have on public health in my district and in communities around Travis Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. At a briefing on Capitol Hill on February 28, I demanded a briefing from HHS and CDC senior health officials and they committed to providing us with one, however, they failed to follow through on this promise and shut Members of Congress out from hearing directly about these allegations and any potential public health implications. Neither the CDC nor HHS cooperated with mine and my colleagues’ requests, keeping Congress and the public in the dark about these serious allegations and the investigation.
“The lack of response from HHS and the CDC fits a pattern by this Administration of failing to truthfully disclose the effectiveness of their response to this pandemic and work cooperatively with Congress to address any vulnerabilities. The results of this investigation indicate that even at the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the administration was ill-prepared to respond to this crisis.
“It is unacceptable and dangerous for the Trump Administration to attempt to conceal their botched response to this public health emergency. During times like these, Congress and the American people must know the full truth about the federal response to COVID-19. Lives are on the line and there must be proper coordination and effective leadership from the federal government to save them.”
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