Pallone Statement on Flu Outbreak Hearing

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, gave the following opening statement this morning at an emergency hearing on the 2009 H1N1 Flu Outbreak and federal

"Good morning. Today the Subcommittee is meeting to discuss the ongoing 2009 H1N1 Flu Outbreak and the U.S. Federal Response. The purpose of today’s hearing is to hear from our nation’s leading agencies, to learn the what, when, and where about this outbreak and also to discuss next steps in the federal response in reporting and reacting to this potential crisis.

"Today we have invited Rear Admiral W. Craig Vanderwagen, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Acting Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, and Rear Admiral Anne Schuchat, Interim Deputy Director for the Science and Public Health Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I want to thank our witnesses for taking time out of their extremely busy schedules to come help educate Congress and the public about this very serious public health emergency and highlight areas where further support may be necessary.

"According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2006, “an influenza pandemic has the potential to cause more death and illness than any other public health threat.” Indeed, the potential devastation that a SARS or Avian Flu Pandemic could have on human lives is a frightening scenario.

"That is why I applaud the response by our federal, state, and local public health agencies in reporting and reacting decisively to the current 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak. I have no doubt that years of preparation have paid off as the public health infrastructure is now compelled into action. It is at times like these where every American realizes how important investing and strengthening our public health agencies, infrastructure, and workforce are to our national security and societal health.

"I believe our response to this situation will be a direct measure of how much effort and resources we put into our public health system up to this moment. And the response to the next outbreak or disaster will be a measure of how much we invest from this moment on.

"That’s why we need to empower medical research and innovation so the next generation of vaccines and medicines can be developed. I believe strengthening our public infrastructure - from emergency departments to community interventions - is an essential part of our ability to handle a surge, should there be a wide-spread outbreak.

"Furthermore, improving the public health workforce including nurses, doctors, epidemiologists, and veterinarians to name a few, must be a priority for Federal and local governments because those are the people who are at the front lines of any crisis; who are gathering information, treating patients, and coordinating between all the agencies and organizations involved in keeping our population healthy and safe.

"We do not yet know how this situation is going to unfold and what exactly we should expect for now and for the future. But what we do know is that we must move with all due diligence to support our public health agencies during this unnerving time and we must also be prepared for the next outbreak and be ready to respond swiftly and decisively. I thank the witnesses who are here today as well as all those who are not here and working right now to protect our families from harm. Thank you."