[20050919]RS22255_应急响应：志愿卫生专业人员的民事责任.pdf

1 Various commentators have offered suggestions for creating an across-the board standardgoverning VHP liability in disaster situations. See, e.g., James J. Hodge, Jr., Lance A. Gable, andStephanie H. Calves, Volunteer Health Professionals and Emergencies: Assessing andTransforming the Legal Enviornment, 3 Biosecurity and Bioterrorism 216 (2005), available athttp:/ Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS22255Updated September 19, 2005Emergency Response: Civil Liability ofVolunteer Health ProfessionalsKathleen Swendiman and Nathan BrooksLegislative AttorneysAmerican Law DivisionSummaryThe devastation wrought on the Gulf Region by Hurricane Katrina has triggereda massive relief effort by local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as privateorganizations and individuals. Much of the relief effort will be carried out by unpaidvolunteers, and some have questioned whether such volunteers particularly medicalpersonnel, so-called “volunteer health professionals” (VHPs) will be protected frompotential civil liability in carrying out their duties. This report sketches the variousfederal and state liability protectio