HHS Approves States’ Bioterrorism Plans, Releases Remaining Federal Funds
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on June 6 approved comprehensive state plans on bioterrorism preparedness, allowing states, territories and municipalities to receive the remainder of their share of federal bioterrorism funds. In January, President Bush signed into law a bill appropriating $1.1 billion for bioterrorism efforts in states, territories, the District of Columbia, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City (HHS
release, 6/6). HHS at that time released $200 million of those funds, withholding the "bulk of the money" until the states, territories and municipalities submitted "detailed preparedness plans" on how they would "respond to a bioterrorism event and other outbreaks of infectious disease" and bolster "core public health capacities" (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 1/25). Since January, 24 states and two cities have had their plans fully approved, and another 24 states and one city have had their plans approved but HHS withheld some funding "pending further review or refinement" of their plans. HHS has given two states, the District of Columbia and the eight territories extensions to submit their plans. Thompson said, "Now that we have good plans, we need to get on with building. There's more work to do. We will continue to work with states on implementing their plans and strengthening areas of their plans that need more work." HHS has requested that states provide progress reports on plan implementation on Oct. 1, 2002 (HHS release, 6/6).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
