WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee heard testimony on the state of preparedness in the case of an Avian Flu outbreak in the United States. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) expressed concern that with the U.S. unprepared to battle its own annual flu season, a federal plan will not protect the U.S. from a pandemic if proper implementation and oversight are not conducted.

“Pandemic flu could mean Katrina-like, third world health conditions in cities across the country for six months or longer. It could mean over a million people dead, according to Administration scenarios,” Stupak said. “The bottom line is that pandemic flu is no longer a matter of if, but when.  We must make sure we have adequate surveillance and containment in those critical six months before there will be a vaccine.  That requires more than just plans on paper.  It requires training and it requires resources for states.”

Stupak expressed his frustration over the Administration once again using the pandemic scare as an opportunity for big drug companies to make money on a drug that is not guaranteed to work.  

“Unfortunately, the plan before us today is yet another example of the Administration taking a go-it-alone or go-it-with-drug companies approach,” Stupak said. “Instead of adequately equipping our state officials, doctors, nurses, and police officers who will be on the front lines, this plan forces states to pick up $500 million of the cost of drugs that may not work. We saw with Hurricane Katrina that plans are only as good as the resources and training to back them up.  The 426-page Department of Homeland Security Plan did little good during Hurricane Katrina. We must be better prepared.”

The hearing was scheduled on the heels of a joint letter Stupak and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) sent to Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, calling on him to investigate and hold a hearing into the federal government’s readiness to respond to an avian flu pandemic. Stupak was pleased to have the opportunity to question Administration officials on a topic of such urgent proportions.

“Today, we had our first look at the new pandemic flu plan but, this hearing must not be an end to our efforts,” Stupak said. “The committee must continue to exercise proper oversight of the Administration to ensure this 396-page, $7 billion dollar pandemic flu plan adequately protects the American public and funding actually makes it out of D.C.”

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