National
Lieutenant Governors Association
Resolution on Pandemic Flu Preparedness
Whereas, Influenza pandemics occurred three times in the previous century, and history and science suggest that the United States and the world will face at least one pandemic in this century; and
Whereas, A pandemic can cause severe illness, death, and disruption throughout the country and the world, and outbreaks can occur in many different locations all at the same time; and
Whereas, An informed and prepared public is essential to minimizing the health effects of a pandemic and the resulting consequences to society, and this is achieved through learning important health and safety information concerning pandemic influenza with material targeted for groups such as families, travelers, workers, communities, and health professionals; and
Whereas, A worldwide influenza pandemic could have a major effect on the global economy which directly impacts the economy of the United States as well as state and local governments including travel, trade, tourism, food, consumption, and eventually investment and financial markets; and
Whereas, Preparing for an influenza pandemic requires coordinated action at all levels of government - federal, state, and local - and all sectors of society, including businesses, schools, faith-based and community organizations, families, and individuals; and
Whereas, The federal government has committed to taking a leadership role in creating a prepared nation by monitoring international and domestic outbreaks, providing funding and technical assistance to foster state and local preparedness, stockpiling and distributing countermeasures, developing new treatments, and coordinating the national response; and
Whereas, The secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has committed to holding pandemic planning summits in all 50 states, assisting states to improve their level of preparedness; and
Whereas, the President asked the United States Congress for emergency spending authority to prepare the United States against the possibility of a pandemic, and Congress has provided over $3 billion for that purpose in the federal defense appropriations act for 2006, including funding for state and local planning purposes; and
Whereas, States and local communities are responsible under their own authorities for responding to an outbreak within their jurisdictions and having comprehensive pandemic preparedness plans and measures in place to protect their citizens; and
Whereas, Consistent with its authorities and availability of funding, HHS may provide additional resources for state and local influenza planning and preparedness activities, and may require the identification and achievement of specific preparedness goals by states and local governments as a condition of financial assistance; and
Whereas, Preparedness plans must be continuously exercised and updated to make certain that they work and to achieve a stronger level of preparedness; and
Whereas, Pandemic preparedness will help communities deal with any type of medical emergency and will have lasting benefits for the health of our nation and economic security; therefore be it
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) encourages the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to work with state leaders to review and update policies to better prepare for a pandemic outbreak or other catastrophic event in the United States to protect the health of our citizens, to protect our economies as a result, and to remain vigilant in guarding against preventable catastrophies; & to
a) Assure state and local coordination through planning and possible state pandemic preparedness summits;
b) Review and update state pandemic programs based on guidance provided by the HHS and the national strategy for pandemic influenza and any other guidance concerning the use of countermeasures necessary to address a pandemic;
c) Assure that the operational plans at the state level for pandemic influenza are an integral element of the overall state and local emergency response plan that will coordinate effectively with emergency support, health and medical services, and the national incident management system;
d) Ensure methods by which governmental, public health, health care, emergency response, agriculture, education, business, communications, and community-based and faith-based sectors, as well as private citizens, can assist in articulating strategic priorities and overseeing the development and execution of states’ operational plans, perhaps by utilizing a coordinating committee;
e) Assess and review their own state’s current level of pandemic preparedness and submit this self-assessment to the relevant agencies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in order to maximize the amount of federal funds available to each state for pandemic preparedness activities; and
f) Achieve specific pandemic preparedness goals, targets, and time lines as identified by HHS, CDC, and each state in order to receive additional federal funds; and
g) Take action to ensure their state fulfills the requirements for obtaining grants from HHS to implement an "All-Hazards Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan" (must include a pandemic influenza plan) as described in and authorized by S. 3678, the recently enacted Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent by NLGA to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and that copies be available to NLGA members for use in their states.
As finally passed by the Executive Committee and General Business session this 16th day of March, 2007.
Sponsored by: Lt. Governor Carol Molnau, Minnesota
Co – Sponsors:
Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, Pennsylvania
Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, Nebraska Lt. Governor John Bohlinger, Montana
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Virginia Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, Rhode Island
Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, Connecticut Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Maryland