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CONTACT: Peter Dickinson, (202) 225-3664
Chairman Smith Proposes New National Medical Preparedness Centers Within VA
Calls for $100 Million For World-Class Efforts To Develop New Diagnostics,
Vaccines, Treatments for Chemical, Biological & Radiological Threats
(Washington, DC) - House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-4) today proposed the creation of at least four new National Medical
Preparedness Centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop new diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments for chemical, biological and
radiological threats.
"As we watch with deep concern the unfolding events regarding anthrax, first
in Florida, then New York, and in my congressional district in Trenton, and
now perhaps even here in Congress, it is imperative that ensure our Nation
is prepared for such incidents, large or small, with timely, effective, and
comprehensive responses," said Smith. "That is why I am today proposing, and will shortly introduce legislation, to create four National Medical
Preparedness Centers, two for dealing with chemical and biological threats,
and two for dealing with radiological threats," he said.
"The mission of these Centers would be to research and develop methods of detection, diagnosis, inoculation, vaccination, protection and treatment for
chemical, biological, and radiological threats, such as anthrax and smallpox," said Smith. "These Centers could engage in direct research,
coordinate ongoing and new research at other government agencies and research universities, and serve to disseminate the latest and most
comprehensive information to public and private hospitals and healthcare workers across the country," he said.
"Through its extensive medical research programs, VA already has expertise
in diagnosing and treating viral diseases with devastating health consequences, such as HIV and hepatitis C, and currently operates two
War-Related Illness Centers tasked with developing specialized treatments for those illnesses and injuries particular to wartime exposures," Smith
said. "In essence, these new Centers would similarly study those illnesses
and injuries most likely to come from a terrorist attack using a weapon of
mass destruction," he said.
"Today, in too many instances, we may have no cures, no treatments and no methods of detection or diagnosis until it is too late -- that is simply
unacceptable," said Smith. "We need to make a major effort, like we have in
so many other areas, whether in putting a man on the moon or in combating diseases, like polio, to prepare America to prevent or respond to the new
and very real threats from chemical, biological and radiological terrorism,"
Smith said.
Please visit http://veterans.house.gov, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs web site, named 'One of the Best Web Sites in Congress' by the Congressional Management Foundation, May 3, 1999.
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