The Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Thursday released a report saying that "persistent deficiencies" at HHS undercut the agency's Covid-19 response and put it at "high risk" of mismanaging a future public health crisis.

Report details

According to the GAO report, the deficiencies at HHS that "have hindered the nation's response to the current Covid-19 pandemic and a variety of past threats" include the agency's mismanagement of the medical supply chain, a lack of coordination between federal and state agencies, and failure to provide clear and consistent communication to members of the public and the health care community.

Specifically, GAO in its report said that of the 115 recommendations on public health emergencies it has made over the past 15 years, HHS has implemented only 43.

For example, GAO said it first warned HHS of coronavirus test shortages in September 2020 and in January 2021 recommended the agency develop a comprehensive national testing strategy. In May 2021, HHS officials said a strategy was forthcoming. However, according to investigators, "to date, HHS has not provided this document."

"The department's response to the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted long-standing concerns we have raised about its ability to execute its role leading federal public health and medical preparedness for, and response to, such public health emergencies," GAO said.

As a result, GAO designated the agency's leadership and its coordination of public health emergencies as a "high risk" area for the U.S. government. Although the designation does not penalize the agency, it signals to Congress that lawmakers need to devote extra attention to its operations, AP/Modern Healthcare reports.

According to GAO, the "high risk" designation is intended to signal the need for agency-wide improvements before the country experiences another crisis triggered by a pathogen, extreme weather, or some sort of attack.

"If left unaddressed, these deficiencies will continue to hamper the nation's ability to be prepared for, and effectively respond to, future threats," GAO wrote in its report.

Comments

Over the course of the pandemic, the White House and congressional leaders have acknowledged shortcomings in the nation's response to Covid-19, outlining proposals to improve the agency's response and coordination of public health emergencies, the Washington Post reports.

Two senators last week proposed a bipartisan plan to help bolster the nation's pandemic preparedness and clarify HHS's role during a public health crisis. "The American people have stopped listening to the CDC because of their confusing and conflicting guidance—justifiably so," said Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who co-wrote the bipartisan plan.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who drafted the legislation with Burr, added that "the pain of this pandemic is unforgettable, and we have a responsibility to make sure its lessons are unforgettable, too."

Separately, HHS spokesperson Sarah Lovenheim cited the agency's efforts under the Biden administration to increase vaccination rates, expand access to tests, and fund new Covid-19 treatments.

"[W]e're in a much stronger position than we were a year ago," Lovenheim said, adding, "We share GAO's focus and urgency in battling this once-in-a-century pandemic and desire to ensure we never again face a pandemic of this magnitude."

According to Lovenheim, HHS looks "forward to reading GAO's feedback on these important issues and sharing progress in this whole-of-government effort as we continue to work to ensure the American people are protected from future health-related emergencies." (Diamond, Washington Post, 1/27; AP/Modern Healthcare, 1/27)