Officials to review U.S. health-threat response systems

The Washington Post: "Citing the balky swine flu vaccination campaign and other shortcomings in the nation's medical defenses, a top Obama administration official has announced a major review of the government's efforts to develop new protections against pandemics, bioterrorism and other health threats." The impetus for the review came "in part because the H1N1 vaccine shortage had highlighted the nation's dependence on antiquated technology." Sebelius said she anticipates the review to be complete by "early next year" (Stein, 12/1).

Reuters: "The goal [of the review], Sebelius said, will be streamlined regulations that will speed the approval of new technologies that are promoted through government contracts with private companies." According to Sebelius, "Dr. Nicki Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, would review the department's countermeasures, which include vaccine development and contracts, drug development and stockpiling of supplies such as medical masks and ventilators" (Fox, 12/1).

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This article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.