"In a post-9/11 world, we are more aware of the numerous threats to our nation's safety. It is important that states and localities are prepared for biological or chemical attacks," Senators Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement. "These funds will allow the Maine Department of Human Services to develop emergency plans that will enable hospitals to respond to bioterrorism."
Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) bioterrorism preparedness program was established in 2002 to facilitate state and regional planning with local hospitals, emergency medical services systems, and other health care facilities to improve the capacity to respond to bioterrorist attacks and other public health emergencies.
Before receiving funds, HRSA requires states to: conduct needs assessments; meet critical benchmarks; and address priority issues. States must also: designate a coordinator for bioterrorism hospital preparedness planning; establish a hospital preparedness planning committee; and develop a plan for the hospitals in the state to respond to a potential epidemic involving at least 500 patients. HRSA also asks states to address: medications and vaccines for stockpile receipt and distribution; personal protection for heath care workers and patients, quarantine, and decontamination; communications; biological disaster drills; personnel; training; and patient transfer.
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