Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt recently announced
a second influx of $1.3 billion to help state and local hospitals
respond to mass casualty terrorism and other medical crises.
“Our ability to respond effectively to public health emergencies
is an important part of securing our homeland,” Leavitt said.
Last year, HHS provided an equal amount to the states, territories
and four major metropolitan areas to bolster preparedness. The second
allotment will be spread to even more cities to upgrade their infectious
disease surveillance, enhance the readiness of hospitals to deal
with large numbers of casualties, expand public health laboratory
capabilities and improve disease reporting between hospitals and
local health departments. The HHS’ Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration
will be distributing the money.
HHS also is providing $471 million for states specifically to develop
surge capacity to deal with mass casualty events. This includes
the expansion of hospital beds, development of isolation capacity,
hiring health care personnel, establishing hospital-based pharmaceutical
caches and providing mental health services. Funds can be used for
trauma and burn care, communications equipment and personal protective
gear.
HHS will provide resources for the early warning infectious disease
surveillance program within the CDC that is specifically aimed at
states bordering Canada and Mexico.
The CDC also may increase the number of state laboratories with
certified “Level One” capability for testing chemical
agents. Currently, there are only CDC-certified laboratories to
assist with chemical testing in California, Michigan, New Mexico,
New York and Virginia. Chemical samples are able to reach a laboratory
for analysis within eight hours. Up to five more may be selected
for this program.
Another CDC effort, the Cities Readiness Initiative, will continue
in the 21 pilot cities, boosted by a $10 million increase. In addition,
15 other metropolitan areas will enter the CRI program.