GREGG COMMENTS ON ONGOING EFFORTS TO KEEP AMERICA PREPARED FOR NATIONAL EMERGENCIES

Tuesday, July 15, 2008                                               Contact: Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

GREGG COMMENTS ON ONGOING EFFORTS TO KEEP AMERICA PREPARED FOR NATIONAL EMERGENCIES

Latest GAO report finds states are properly preparing for emergency response; however, must strengthen delivery of medical resources in a crisis

WASHINGTON - As part of his continued work towards ensuring the nation is prepared for a national emergency or pandemic outbreak, U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today commented on the latest findings by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in their report on assessing states’ abilities to quickly care for large numbers of victims in case of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.

The report found that while most states were preparing properly for a national emergency, states needed to strengthen their ability to allocate medical resources in the event of a disaster. The GAO recommended the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ensure that it serves as a clearinghouse for sharing altered standards of care guidelines developed by states or medical experts.

“A terrorist attack or natural disaster could have devastating consequences for our nation,” said Senator Judd Gregg, who requested the report last year.  “This is a highly critical issue for Americans health and welfare, and I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure our health care systems and professionals are equipped to meet medical needs in the event of a national emergency. I am pleased with the recent progress, but also urge additional cooperation between state and local governments, as well as the federal government in order to ensure seamless coordination during an emergency.  Lives depend on it.” 

As part of the study, GAO identified four key components for America’s health care systems in preparing for a medical surge, including: (1) increasing hospital capacity, (2) indentifying alternate care sites, (3) registering medical volunteers, and (4) planning for altering established standards of care.  Through interviews with 20 state emergency preparedness officials and review of preparedness documents, they found that states have made progress in the first 3 components, but fewer were planning for altered standards of care.

Sen. Gregg has long focused on these critical issues, and has authored legislation to help ensure the U.S. is prepared in the event of an emergency, such as S. 3, Protecting America in the War on Terror Act, which contained critical provisions including incentives for the production of vaccines and countermeasures to address a pandemic or bioterror attack.  In addition, Sen. Gregg authored S. 2792, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Security, Accountability, and Flexibility Enhancement Act (SAFE Act), many provisions of which became law as part of the Pandemic and All-Hazard Preparedness Act (S. 3678).  Both bills were designed to improve the public health and medical response to biological outbreaks, including the establishment of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the Office of Emergency Preparedness, to fund cutting-edge research and development of medical countermeasures, including drugs and vaccines, and to fight bioterrorism and natural disease outbreaks.