THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT COULD BE USED FOLLOWING HURRICANE HELENE

In moments of crisis, it’s important to have a plan and preparation already in place. Such is the case with the United States. The Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 is a bill that gives power to the President to help with various supplies after major events that might otherwise become scarce. While the origins of the Defense Production Act are from the Korean and Cold Wars, the law is still used today when needed.

What Is the Defense Production Act?

The Defense Production Act of 1950 came to be during the Cold War after a need was created due to the Korean War so that the President could boost productivity for essential materials and services to support national defense.

Within the DPA, there are regulations called the Defense Priorities and Allocation System (DPAS), which are still used today, as the act has been modified multiple times and used more than 50 times over the years to meet the changing needs of our nation during dire times.

The Defense Production Act is closely associated with FEMA as it's used to help with emergency responses after a terrorist attack or natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

Activating the DPA enables the government to prioritize domestic industrial resources to safeguard the nation's defense capabilities.

While there are several titles/sections within the DPA, here are three specifically highlighted by FEMA, showcasing some of the more important ways the act applies to Americans:

Title I: Priorities and Allocations

Under Title I, the DPA grants the President the power to call on businesses for specific production needs. An important interjection that allows for direct government interference involving a wide range of industries.

Title III: Expansion of Productive Capacity and Supply

The government can provide financial incentives that are aimed at improving production capabilities for the affected essential materials and goods during times of crisis.

Title VII: General Provisions

Finally, under Title VII, the Defense Production Act empowers the government to provide a variety of measures within the private sector, so that production can increase for specific goods when needed for national security.

Defense Production Act Could Help With Potential IV Fluid Shortage Following Hurricane Helene

The cleanup following Hurricane Helene is still ongoing, as well as cleanup efforts for after Hurricane Milton, another major storm.

Meanwhile, in North Carolina, Baxter International is still dealing with damage. The facility produces 60% of the total IV fluid supply in the United States, prompting the American Hospital Association to ask for government intervention.

American Hospital Association president, Richard J. Pollack, wants President Biden to invoke the Defense Production Act, which would allow the military to bring IV fluids from sources outside of the United States.

Baxter International’s North Cove facility still doesn’t know when it’ll be open again and the crisis is causing hospitals across the country to ration IV fluids.

Even with the rationing going on, shortages have already affected healthcare and the next few weeks are posed to be even worse, further threatening the level of patient care available.

Furthermore, Pollack doesn’t just want to source international IV fluids but to use the DPA to incentivize manufacturers to produce more in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Despite still suffering from Helene, Baxter International is still shipping its unaffected inventory and ramping up production internationally to help with the demand in America.

The Defense Health Agency is working with Baxter and others so that military hospitals can maintain their supply as a push for the Defense Production Act continues for the overall country.

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