HHS Takes Back Control of Buying, Distributing Virus Supplies

The Department of Health and Human Services is reclaiming its responsibilities to buy, distribute, and track the supply of masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, according to a federal watchdog report.

The HHS has shared those duties with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Defense Department since March, when the Covid-19 pandemic led to mass shortages throughout the U.S. of those essential supplies.

As the federal government moves its focus to reopening the country and the Trump administration sees the pandemic as being in maintenance mode, officials believe there is less of a need for other agencies ...