Using the monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 was one of the rare instances where Democratic President Joe Biden agreed with Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Over the past few weeks, DeSantis has traveled the state to promote antibody treatment for the coronavirus, and the opening of more than two dozen sites where it can be administered.
The federal government bought the remedy, which goes by the shorthand of mAb, and which was given to former President Donald Trump when he contracted COVID last year, and has been supplying it to the states. Florida has been the leader in championing antibody treatments as a way to reduce hospitalizations and deaths.
Last week, as he was announcing a nationwide vaccine mandate for 80 million U.S. workers, Biden also promoted monoclonal antibodies, and said he was boosting the supply available to states by 50 percent.
Yet, as is often the case with the Biden administration, what federal officials say and what they do can be quite different.
On Sept. 3, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it was limiting the mAb supply to only HHS-approved sites.
Although the agency said the cap was temporary, it also said it was necessary in order to “help promote optimal and equitable use of the available supply of monoclonal antibodies while we continue efforts to procure additional product.”
That bothered U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican.
Roy, in a letter dated Monday to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, wondered why the department was slowing its response to doctors, even as the COVID Delta variant wreaks havoc across the country.
MAb therapeutics “were approved under Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) and have been shown to be effective in treating COVID-19 patients,” Roy wrote.
“Providers across the country, including providers in Texas, have utilized these treatments, aiding in effective treatment of COVID-19 patients,” Roy added. “Unfortunately, numerous doctors and healthcare professionals who serve COVID-19 patients are reportedly being denied or limited orders for these treatments by HHS.”
Roy recalled the Sept 3 announcement and noted, “These recent changes have appeared to have an immediate effect on the ability to expeditiously care for and treat COVID-19 patients.”
“It is essential that providers have the freedom to choose what treatments are most suitable for their patients without interference or delays caused by your department,” the congressman added.
In light of that, Roy asked Becerra to explain why the change was ordered, who did so and by what regulatory authority it was made.
He also asked if there is a “current or expected shortage” of mAb treatments in the U.S., and if so which ones.
The congressman also sought to learn how many doses of each treatment are available, and when HHS plans to return to normal distribution procedures.
In a statement about his letter to The Blaze, Roy said, “The last thing HHS should be doing is impeding on providers’ ability to best serve their patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This recent HHS order will further prevent doctors from being able to treat their patients and prevent their patients from receiving the care they need when they need it.”
“The federal government should not be in the business of dictating healthcare,” the congressman added. “The American people deserve answers on why and under which authority HHS made this decision.”
Given that the Biden administration has cited the pursuit of “equitable” outcomes, as it did here, to justify a series of discriminatory behaviors and programs, Roy is right to be suspicious.
Stay tuned.
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Because Florida governor DeSantis wad the first to use them and the Biden administration hates him worse than any other governor in the US. Biden wants Florida residents, conservative ones to die!