Jay Rockefeller: “I do not have to tell my colleagues here in the Senate that bioterrorism has become a reality. Here, and throughout the…”

“I do not have to tell my colleagues here in the Senate that bioterrorism has become a reality. Here, and throughout the Nation, we are frightened and frustrated by the lack of clear information on what the threats are, and how we are to find the resources to protect ourselves. With this need in mind, I proudly offer the ``Public Health Emergency Planning and Information Act of 2001,'' a bill which would provide grants to hospitals to prepare for public health emergencies, and that would fund programs to provide the public and medical providers with accurate information about potential biological attacks. As we have seen in the past few weeks, the first line of defense against the threat of bioterrorism relies upon swift action by local health care providers and public health officials. The quick response of doctors in Florida to that first case of anthrax on October 4th gave the medical community and the public a warning of what was to come. Despite this recognition, and despite a small number of additional actual anthrax cases, we are currently struggling with how to respond, who to treat, what to expect next, and what information we can trust. We cannot simply wait to see what happens next, we must face this new and terrifying threat immediately. Epidemics, whether natural or the result of deliberate attacks, unfold in communities, and may happen without warning.”