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Quarantine

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's Efforts to Contain COVID-19 and Support Communities in Need

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been actively advocating for measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 and support communities in need. In a statement, she urged Hawaiian Governor David Ige to continue the 14-day quarantine for trans-Pacific travelers due to the surge of COVID-19 infections across the country. She emphasized the need to prioritize the health and lives of Hawaii's residents and take necessary actions to contain and defeat the virus.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rep. Tulsi Gabbard introduced H.Res.897, a resolution providing an emergency non-taxable Universal Basic Payment to all adult Americans until COVID-19 no longer presents a public health emergency.
  • She sent two letters to President Trump in March, calling on him to support Hawaii's request for medical equipment, supplies, and resources.
  • Gabbard introduced H.R.6609, directing the President to use the Defense Production Act to acquire and manufacture necessary components, materials, and supplies for COVID-19 testing.
  • She introduced H.R.6809, the Nurse Workforce Protection Act, preventing healthcare providers from furloughing or reducing the salary of nurses during the pandemic.
  • Rep. Gabbard has continued to advocate for a monthly direct basic payment to continue for as long as the healthcare crisis persists.
  • She called on the Administration to prioritize working with trading partners to ensure medical providers can obtain needed equipment quickly.
  • Rep. Gabbard sent a letter to the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, urging them to ensure access to PPE for essential childcare providers.
  • Noting the unique vulnerability of nursing home residents, Rep. Gabbard called upon HHS Secretary Azar and CMS Administrator Verma to address their needs for testing kits, PPE, and sufficient staff.
  • In March and early April, she cosponsored H.Res.908, a resolution drawing attention to anti-Asian bigotry during the pandemic and calling on the Federal government to confront and prosecute hate crimes.

Statistics:

  • $142 million in emergency funds were received by Hawaii in the weeks following the passage of the CARES Act to support healthcare providers, including over $10 million for 14 community health centers.
  • $132 million were given to other healthcare providers across the state to help cover the costs they are incurring due to the crisis, but with the stipulation that they cannot engage in "surprise billing" of patients they have treated for COVID-19.
  • Over $107 million in funds were received by Hawaii through the CARES Act to support public transportation systems, community public health infrastructure, and housing for vulnerable communities.
  • An estimated $88 million were given for educational purposes, including support for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.
  • $154 million were given to the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands for educational purposes.
  • $100 million in disaster relief funds were announced by FEMA in April, available to all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Sources:

  • [1] Statement by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Honolulu, HI (no date)
  • [2] H.Res.897, Introduced in the House of Representatives, March (no date)
  • [3] Letter to President Trump, March (no date)
  • [4] H.R.6609, Introduced in the House of Representatives, March (no date)
  • [5] H.R.6809, Introduced in the House of Representatives, May (no date)
  • [6] Letter to Governor Ige and Hawaii County Mayors, (no date)
  • [7] H.Res.908, Introduced in the House of Representatives, March (no date)
  • [8] Statement by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Honolulu, HI (no date)
  • [9] CARES Act, Passed in the House of Representatives, March 27 (no date)
  • [10] FEMA Press Release, April (no date)

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