[20080801]RS22602_公共卫生和医疗准备与响应：第110届国会议题.pdf

1 See CRS Report RL33589, The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (P.L. 109-417):Provisions and Changes to Preexisting Law, by Sarah A. Lister and Frank Gottron (hereafterCRS Report RL33589), and CRS Report RL33729, Federal Emergency Management Policy(continued.)Order Code RS22602Updated August 1, 2008Public Health and Medical Preparedness and Response: Issues in the 110th CongressSarah A. ListerSpecialist in Public Health and EpidemiologyDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryThe 2001 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and concerns about an influenza(“flu”) pandemic have sharpened congressional interest in the nations systems to trackand respond to public health threats. The 109th Congress reauthorized or establishedrelevant programs in the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) andHomeland Security (DHS). In its second session, the 110th Congress has focused itsoversight of these programs on (1) the fitness of HHS and DHS in terms of authority,funding, policies, and workforce to respond to complex health emergencies; (2) howwell they and other federal agencies coordinate their efforts; (3) the status of majorfederal initiatives, such as pandemic flu preparedness a