FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 07, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi and House Democrats Urge Bush to Provide Comprehensive Plan to Address Threat of Avian Flu

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and 14 other senior House Democrats sent a letter to President Bush today urging him to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to prepare the United States for the threat of avian flu.

The text of the letter follows:

October 7, 2005

President George W. Bush

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

For several years, medical and public health experts have warned that the avian flu now circulating in Asia could be the source of a deadly global influenza pandemic.  This concern has been the subject of numerous Congressional hearings, scientific meetings, and public discussions.

We are concerned that the United States is dangerously unprepared to deal with such a pandemic. We have only one domestic manufacturer of injectable flu vaccine. The supply of antiviral medications in our national stockpile is insufficient to meet potential needs. State and local health officials lack the necessary resources to detect, contain, and respond to an outbreak. A national plan has not been finalized, making it difficult for states and localities to do their own planning.

We urge you to submit a comprehensive proposal to Congress as soon as possible. In our judgment, a successful national response will need to include the following elements:

• Sufficient support for domestic capacity tomanufacture influenza vaccines and antiviral medications with appropriate liability protection, and a compensation program for those injured bytaking the vaccine.
• Sufficient resources and research to ensure an adequate and accessible supply of vaccines and antiviral medications to the public when needed.
• Sufficient funding to states and localities for their public health systems. Vaccines and antiviral drugs must be delivered based upon medical priorities, with special attention paid to populations without ready access to health care.
• A leadership role for the United States in coordinating efforts for surveillance and containment in response to a flu pandemic.

We look forward to working with you on a bipartisan basis to implement a comprehensive plan and to secure the necessary resources to make that plan effective.  The American people must be assured that their government is ready to respond to a potential outbreak.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to receiving your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi                                          Steny Hoyer                                        

House Democratic Leader                      House Democratic Whip                      

Robert Menendez                                   David Obey     

House Democratic Caucus Chairman      Member of Congress     

George Miller                                         Bennie Thompson 

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress           

Rosa DeLauro                                        Henry Waxman                                    Member of Congress                              Member of Congress 

John D. Dingell                                       John Spratt     

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress     

Rahm Emanuel                                      Sherrod Brown

 Member of Congress                           Member of Congress

Nita Lowey                                           Diana DeGette                           

Member of Congress                             Member of Congress                         

Martin Olav Sabo

Member of Congress

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi