Schneider Discusses COVID-19 Response with Local Manufacturer of Ventilators, Vyaire Medical

This week, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) spoke via phone with Vyaire Medical CEO, Guarav Agarwal, and Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Kevin Klemz, about their company's ongoing work to ramp up ventilator production in response to COVID-19.

"I appreciate the swift actions of Vyaire Medical to greatly expand their production of ventilators, and similarly applaud other Tenth District companies who have stepped forward to develop new testing and other supplies our nation needs to confront the coronavirus," said Schneider. "It's essential we have a coordinated federal response to get these ventilators and other products to the communities of greatest need, and that we end the unproductive status quo that has states competing in bidding wars between each other and against FEMA for this vital equipment. I will continue advocating for the Administration to create a ‘Supply Chain Czar' to coordinate this effort."

In their conversation, Schneider and Agarwal discussed the need for personal protective equipment for Vyaire Medical's manufacturing facility employees, as one outbreak could dramatically slow desperately needed production. They also discussed the need for a more coordinated federal response to protect the global supply chain of components needed to build ventilators.

The call with Vyaire Medical follows extensive outreach by Schneider to other Tenth District companies and organizations in recent days including:

• Abbott Labs
• BD
• GE
• Tenth District Hospital CEOs
• Naval Station Great Lakes
• Long Term Care facilities
• Supermarket owners and operators
• Labor leaders
• First responders
• Faith leaders
• Non-profit agencies
• Immigration organizations
• Chambers of Commerce
• Local Mayors and Village Presidents
• Township Supervisors
• Cook and Lake County leadership
• State legislators
• College and University presidents