[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 151 (Thursday, November 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1836-E1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS ALLOWABLE USE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to debate H.R. 
5997, the ``Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act,'' which amends the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the use of Urban Area 
Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding 
for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass 
prophylaxis capabilities.
  Moreover, this would involve the development and maintenance of an 
initial pharmaceutical stockpile, including medical kits, and 
diagnostics sufficient to protect first responders, their families, and 
immediate victims from a chemical or biological event.
  As a proud Member of this body and as the Ranking Member on Homeland 
Security Transportation Subcommittee on Transportation, I understand 
the importance of maintaining an unyielding commitment to keeping the 
American homeland safe from weapons of mass destruction by increasing 
our preparedness for dealing with chemical, biological, radiological, 
and nuclear threats, whether they originate from individuals, terrorist 
organizations, and state sponsors of terror, or horrible accidents.
  While much has been done to prepare our first responders for a 
nuclear, chemical or biological incident in the United States, the 
healthcare system in this country is not fully

[[Page E1837]]

prepared to handle the resulting mass casualties that would likely 
result from such an attack.
  Thousands of lives could potentially be saved if our medical 
personnel are adequately prepared and trained for such an occurrence.
  The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) provides funding to 
State and local governments to assist in preparing for and responding 
to mass casualty incidents resulting from acts of terrorism, natural 
disasters, and other events.
  Using the grants, jurisdictions develop response plans, conduct 
exercises and training, and acquire medical countermeasures and 
personal protective equipment for dealing with biological events that 
occur on a large scale.
  As it stands, the MMRS program has not been reauthorized or 
appropriated funds due to recent budgetary constraints.
  MMRS Characteristics include: Integrated medical response system; 
detailed system response & operations plans; specially trained 
responders at all levels; specialized response equipment; specialized 
medical equipment and pharmaceutical cache; enhanced medical transport 
and treatment capabilities.
  MMRS has 12 MMRS Capability Focus Areas, which include the following: 
Strengthen Medical Surge; strengthen Mass Prophylaxis; strengthen CBRNE 
Detection, Response, and Decontamination Capabilities; strengthen 
Interoperable Communication Capabilities; strengthen Information 
Sharing and Collaboration Capabilities; expand Regional Collaboration; 
triage and Pre-Hospital Treatment; medical Supplies Management and 
Distribution; mass Care (Sheltering, Feeding, and Related Services); 
emergency Public Information and Warning; fatality Management; 
volunteer Management and Donations.
  H.R. 5997 would authorize use of Urban Area Security Initiative 
(UASI) and State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funding toward 
the enhancement of medical preparedness, medical surgery capacity, and 
mass prophylaxis capabilities.
  This would effectively allow to MMRS program to continue using these 
funds, which provide important measures such as a pharmaceutical 
stockpile, medical kits, and diagnostics that will help to protect 
first responders, their families, and immediate victims from a chemical 
or biological act of terror or accident.
  As Americans, we must ensure that we are adequately prepared for 
whatever challenges that we face in our Nation; and nowhere is that 
more true than with the potential for large-scale disasters.
  Preparing for large and debilitating disasters has become an 
inconvenient but necessary facet of modern America, a task that our 
government has met head on since 9/11. This bill will help to ensure 
that the resources are there in order to make those preparations.

                          ____________________