Tom Price: “today, I had the privilege of joining the President for his speech at the National Institutes of Health where he…”

“today, I had the privilege of joining the President for his speech at the National Institutes of Health where he discussed the avian flu and a potential pandemic. He talked about our Nation's strategy to protect outbreaks, expand domestic vaccine protection, stockpile treatments and prepare our response. The take-home message of all of this is preparation, not panic. It is important that we bring calm to the sea of sensationalism about the bird flu. Is this a threat? Yes, potentially. Do we need to be prepared? Absolutely. What the President outlined is a strategy for Federal, State and local governments and communities, neighborhoods and families. All must play a role. This cooperation is vital to the strategy and success. As a doctor, I understand and appreciate the importance of prevention. It is the most efficient and cost-effective way to treat diseases, any disease. That is the goal and the plan, to have a structure in place to rapidly detect outbreaks anyplace in the world, have the medicines and vaccines necessary to treat everyone and respond at every level. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the President for outlining a proactive, successful course, preventive measures to ensure the safety of all Americans. ____________________”