Statement from President and CEO Mike Slubowski on the Announcement of the American Jobs Plan

Trinity Health is encouraged to see the announcement of President Biden's American Jobs Plan. In addition to several items, the plan includes policies to shore up the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and accelerate research, advance development and testing of therapeutics and vaccines; and expand access to high-speed broadband to bridge the "digital divide" and increase access to health care through telehealth. It also provides funding to expand access to home- and community-based care for older adults and people with disabilities.

Now is the time to invest in public health and hospital and health system infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in our public health system infrastructure and the dangers of the historical lack of investment. Like other health system, Trinity Health has stepped in to fill the public health system void. The lack of a clear strategy, poor communication, and inconsistent guidance and messaging on public safety measures has created confusion around local public health responses across our communities nationally.

Furthermore, insufficient investment in public health data exchange and technology has led to inadequate disease surveillance and contact tracing efforts. Lack of clarity around the content of the SNS and supply chain needs has left health care providers scrambling for personal protective equipment, vaccine and other resources. The public health system has been unable to effectively address the racial inequities and uneven access to care laid bare by COVID-19. We must build back public health infrastructure, systems and processes so we have the capacity to respond in future emergencies.

Our country has an opportunity to take the lessons learned from COVID-19 and make investments, so we are better prepared for the next pandemic. The COVID-19 relief funding and public health investments to date have been invaluable, but we cannot continue the cycle of episodic, emergency funding. We need infrastructure investments in hospital and health system preparedness, data and information technology system modernization and maintenance, health care workforce, clinical research and sustained core public health funding.

Trinity Health encourages President Biden and Congress to include public health and hospital and health system infrastructure in the emerging infrastructure package.