TRSA Gets Legislator Support for More Reusable Textiles in Healthcare Facilities

TRSA has secured the signatures of U.S. Reps. Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) and Michael Carey (R-OH-15) as the chief co-signers to a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The letter is requesting Secretary Becerra to “examine the feasibility and potential benefits of the increased use of reusable healthcare textiles (HCTs) in hospitals and other medical facilities to protect healthcare workers, address the rising environmental impact of disposables, prepare for future pandemics and potentially provide cost savings.”

This letter is a major step in developing federal policy to require healthcare facilities to maintain an operating stock of reusable healthcare textiles. “This is a huge win for the linen, uniform and facility services industry,” said Kevin Schwalb TRSA’s vice president of government relations. “Secretary Becerra will be compelled to respond to a congressional Inquiry, which usually leads to a form of federal policy being either legislation or regulation.”

This letter is the culmination of the groundwork laid during TRSA’s Legislative Conference in March where TRSA members visited congressional offices to request legislators to sign on to the letter. While securing chief co-signers is a major step, TRSA members now need to contact their respective legislators to get them to add their name to the letter. The more names on the letter, the more impact the letter will have at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Along with legislation introduced in New York requiring healthcare facilities to maintain a 50% operating stock of reusable textiles, this letter is another victory for TRSA members and reusable healthcare textiles. Click here to read the letter.