Lowey and Emanuel Seek Partnerships to Fight Pandemic Flu
LOWEY AND EMANUEL SEEK PARTNERSHIPS TO FIGHT PANDEMIC FLU
October 26, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC - Encouraged by reports that senior Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are seeking legislative proposals to prepare for a possible flu pandemic, Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY18) and Rahm Emanuel (D-IL5) today wrote to Committee Chair Joe Barton (R-TX6) and Health Subcommittee Chair Nathan Deal (R-GA-10) to put forward their legislation as a template for future action.
"We have no time to lose in preparing for a flu pandemic. Avian flu is spreading around the globe and every expert tells us it's not a matter of 'if' but 'when,' a pandemic flu will occur. We have to be ready for that now," said Lowey.
"These are clear, pragmatics steps we can take right now, to ensure the American people have the protection they deserve," said Emanuel. "Through this legislation, we have an opportunity to ensure we are prepared."
In a recent letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, Barton and Deal solicited policy suggestions for legislation to prepare for a pandemic. Today, Lowey and Emanuel offered to join the effort to craft new legislation and provided information on bills previously introduced by Lowey and Emanuel to beef up national and international preparedness.
Most recently, they introduced the Pandemic Preparedness Response Act (PPRA) which would create a comprehensive plan to detect, prepare for and combat a flu pandemic. The legislation would provide resources to ensure an adequate and accessible supply of vaccines and antiviral medications; expand and coordinate state pandemic preparedness activities; increase vaccine production through creation of a federal buyback program; and improve international surveillance efforts.
"I am encouraged that Chairmen Barton and Deal have realized that the time to act to prepare for avian flu is now. I look forward to working with them, Congressman Emanuel and Senate leaders such as Barak Obama and Tom Harkin, on a bipartisan basis to enact a plan that will keep Americans safe and healthy," said Lowey. "A pandemic could occur at any time; we have to be ready for it when it does."
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny18_lowey/flu102605.html