More than 500 Biden Administration employees have reportedly signed an open letter urging the president to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. These employees may be using their roles in the federal government to undercut efforts aimed at supporting Israel....
News
Latest News
Next Week: Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
Rubio Aplaude Las Recientes Elecciones Presidenciales en Argentina
El pasado domingo, el pueblo argentino eligió democráticamente a su futuro presidente. El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emitió el siguiente comunicado tras la elección de Javier Milei. “Felicitaciones al pueblo de Argentina por una elección pacífica y...
Rubio Applauds Recent Elections in Argentina
This past Sunday, the people of Argentina democratically elected their future President. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement following the election of Javier Milei. “Congratulations to the people of Argentina on their peaceful and democratic...
Rubio Video: Bidenflation Gobbling Up American Thanksgiving Budget
Millions of Americans are feeling the effects of the bad economy as they head home for Thanksgiving. Virtually across the board, they are met with increased food, gas, and travel costs. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a video on the failure of President Joe...
Por Si Se Lo Perdió: Rubio Nombrado como el Legislador Más Eficaz en Florida
Marco Rubio encabeza la lista de los legisladores más eficaces de Florida y ocupa el segundo lugar a nivel nacional 15 de noviembre del 2023 Informe Orwell Anualmente, el Centro para una Legislación Efectiva (CEL) de la Universidad de Virginia y la Universidad de...
Rubio, Florida Republicans Urge HHS to Reverse Decision to Ration Antibody Treatments
Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) led members of the Florida congressional delegation in urging Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to reverse course on the department’s sudden decision to ration monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs for the outpatient treatment of COVID-19, which will cause the State of Florida to face a severe deficit of doses.
“This decision was made without providing the Florida Department of Health or healthcare providers anytime to prepare for this dramatic shift,” the lawmakers wrote. “Prior to this week, health care providers were able to obtain mAb therapies directly from distributors. With no warning, that changed, leaving Florida providers scrambling for information and a path forward for previously scheduled appointments of this life-saving therapy.”
“State Departments of Health cannot develop procedures or plan for problems they are not aware of,” the lawmakers continued. “In the absence of clear, consistent communication, Florida and other states are now facing a situation where they have been denied the opportunity to develop an equitable, efficient state coordinated distribution system. At a time when Florida’s hospitalization rates are rapidly declining, in part because of the State’s successful mAb deployment infrastructure, this is a dangerous reversal of the Department’s stance.”
Joining Rubio were Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Bill Posey (R-FL), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Scott Franklin (R-FL), and Neal Dunn (R-FL).
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Secretary Becerra:
We write with regard to the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS)’s distribution process for monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs for the outpatient treatment of COVID-19. On September 13, 2021, with no prior warning, HHS established new allocation procedures that will cause the State of Florida to face a deficit of tens of thousands of doses per week.
While these therapies are not a substitute for vaccines, they have prevented thousands of hospitalizations, including in breakthrough cases. It is a benefit that was recognized by President Biden only a week ago when he announced plans to increase the average pace of shipment of mAb therapies by an additional 50 percent. This week’s announcement was dramatically out of step with the change several days later to reduce the amount of Florida and several other states’ allocation without prior notice.
This decision was made without providing the Florida Department of Health or healthcare providers any time to prepare for this dramatic shift. Prior to this week, health care providers were able to obtain mAb therapies directly from distributors. With no warning, that changed, leaving Florida providers scrambling for information and a path forward for previously scheduled appointments of this life-saving therapy.
State Departments of Health cannot develop procedures or plan for problems they are not aware of. In the absence of clear, consistent communication, Florida and other states are now facing a situation where they have been denied the opportunity to develop an equitable, efficient state coordinated distribution system. At a time when Florida’s hospitalization rates are rapidly declining, in part because of the State’s successful mAb deployment infrastructure, this is a dangerous reversal of the Department’s stance.
We urge HHS to immediately reverse course on this decision.
Sincerely,