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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | ||||
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| REMARKS BY: | TOMMY G. THOMPSON, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| PLACE: | Before the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, D.C. |
| DATE: | July 16, 2002 |
Mr. Chairman, our country is in your debt for your many years of visionary leadership in the House of Representatives. Mrs. Pelosi, I deeply appreciated what you said in your opening statement at last week's hearing - that the issue of national security cuts across party lines. And to all the members of this Committee, let me say thank you for your diligence in thoughtfully considering this most serious matter.
I'll begin by underscoring that I join my colleagues in affirming unequivocally my support for the reorganization initiative that the President has announced. I have worked, and will continue to work, to implement his proposals with energy and enthusiasm.
The President is absolutely right to create a Department of Homeland Security to make sure our nation is as safe and protected as possible. And if we're going to create an agency that focuses around the clock on protecting the Homeland, there clearly needs to be a bioterrorism component to that operation.
Since Governor Ridge began as director of Homeland Security, he and I have worked closely together on the programs and policies we need to keep America safe. We have coordinated our budget priorities and have sustained a close working relationship.
We at HHS are continuing to work closely with the White House, Governor Ridge and Congress to ensure that this new Department has the ability to protect America from a biological attack. HHS will provide DHS with whatever scientific expertise and other technical assistance it may seek to help it manage the program.
In addition to the substantive changes, certain program-level details and administrative choices are still being studied in order to ensure the most seamless transition, and to give the greatest possible levels of efficiency and effectiveness to our fight against the threat of biological warfare and to protect the public health.
As with the research and development program, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will establish preparedness and response programs and priorities. At the same time, the implementation of the public health components of that program, such as the state and local preparedness grants, will be carried out largely through HHS.
As to the regulation of certain dangerous pathogens known as "Select Agents," this function would be transferred from the CDC to DHS. The newly created Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, with its emergency medical functions, would also be transferred, as would maintenance of the Strategic National Stockpile of medicines and emergency medical equipment.
Before September 11th, and especially since that day, our department has worked fervently to build our capabilities to effectively respond to a bioterrorism attack. We've worked closely with state and local governments, with experts in the field, and with public health partners to make sure we're getting stronger each and every day.
We have dispersed nearly all of the $1.1 billion in grants for bioterrorism preparedness activities to states and major cities. We have done so efficiently and with energy. We've taken our task seriously, and continue to do so.
We are extremely proud of how much stronger we've built America's preparedness in such a short time. I again thank this Committee and Congress as a whole for supporting HHS in this endeavor.
But there is much work to do before our level of public health readiness is where we want it to be. We are committed to getting the job done, within HHS and by working with the new Department of Homeland Security.
The President's proposal strikes the right balance: it plays to the strengths of HHS and recognizes this agency's core mission - the protection of our nation's public health - while capitalizing on the strategic and logistical strengths of the new Department of Homeland Security.
By wisely marshalling and managing our expertise and our resources, and by joining together in the spirit of perseverance and determination of which the President has so eloquently spoken and that the needs of our time demand, we will build a more secure America and safeguard our families from the vicious threats of our enemies.
That is our common task. It is one I know we are all committed to fulfilling.
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman. I would be happy to answer your questions and those of your colleagues.