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Relief package billions can't buy hospitals out of shortages

Surgical mask
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The billions of tax dollars headed for hospitals and states as part of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus response bill won't solve the critical shortage of protective gowns, gloves and masks.

That's what a close look by The Associated Press has found.

Experts say the problem isn’t a lack of money.

It's that there aren't enough supplies to buy.

What’s more, the crisis has exposed a fragmented procurement system that's descending into chaos just as demand soars.

Hospitals, state governments and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are left bidding against each other and driving up prices.