Leading hospital, doctor associations call on Trump to share COVID-19 information with Biden

The country’s top associations representing hospitals, doctors and nurses are calling on the Trump administration to share information on its coronavirus response with President-elect Joe Biden’s team “so that there is no lapse in our ability to care for patients.”

The American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, and American Nurses Association wrote in a letter to President Trump on Tuesday that cooperation on the coronavirus response with Biden transition officials is crucial.

“Real-time data and information on the supply of therapeutics, testing supplies, personal protective equipment, ventilators, hospital bed capacity and workforce availability to plan for further deployment of the nation’s assets needs to be shared to save countless lives,” the groups wrote.

“All information about the capacity of the Strategic National Stockpile, the assets from Operation Warp Speed, and plans for dissemination of therapeutics and vaccines needs to be shared as quickly as possible to ensure that there is continuity in strategic planning so that there is no lapse in our ability to care for patients,” they added.

The Trump administration has so far declined to allow communication and cooperation with the Biden team, given the president’s refusal to concede the election.

Sharing vaccine plans has been a particular focus due to distribution complexities.

“More people may die if we don’t coordinate,” Biden told reporters on Monday, citing the need to plan for a vaccination campaign.

Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, also said Monday he is “concerned” about the lack of communication with the incoming team amid the pandemic.

The country’s top health care groups are seeking to turn up the pressure.

“We urge your Administration to work closely with the Biden transition team to share all critical information related to COVID-19,” they wrote in Tuesday’s letter.