Washington, D.C. — Quicker, more accurate diagnostic tests and more effective treatments for anthrax and other biological and chemical toxins would be the focus of new national research centers created under legislation introduced this week by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  The legislation, H.R. 3253, the National Medical Emergency Preparedness Act of 2001, would create National Medical Preparedness Centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop new diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments for chemical, biological and radiological terrorist threats.  

“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 public and private research, and serve to disseminate the latest information to healthcare and emergency workers across the country,” 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 a major push to better prevent, detect and respond to future chemical, biological and radiological terrorism,” Smith said.

Smith pointed out that the Department of Veterans Affairs, which operates the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system, including research and lab facilities, is ideally suited to the task since “they are already deeply involved in many of the areas in which such centers would be performing research.”

Under the Federal Response Plan and the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), the VA currently has specific national responsibilities for preparing the nation for terrorist attack.  The VA procures and manages the nation’s pharmaceutical stockpiles; maintains a rapid response team for radiological events; conducts and evaluates disaster and terrorist attack simulation exercises; and trains NDMS medical personnel in responding to biological, chemical, and radiological attacks.

“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.