HARMAN HITS HHS SECRETARY LEAVITT FOR CUTS TO MEDICARE/MEDICAID PROPOSED BUDGETS

"Says funding won’t cover a 'surge' in mass casualty care needed in the event of a terrorist  attack [and represents] a 'purge' of life-saving capabilities"

February 28, 2008

Washington, D.C. Representative Jane Harman (D-CA), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, delivered the following statement at today’s full committee hearing on the President’s proposed FY 2009 Health and Human Services Department budget:

Secretary Leavitt, we met when you were involved in a Markle Foundation project on homeland security.  I know you understand the threats we face from terror attacks – including biological attacks like pandemic flu.

My district surrounds top terror targets in Los Angeles, including LAX and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  The only level one trauma center and closest hospital is Harbor UCLA, which has been under scrutiny for overcrowding in its ER.  Harbor is also one of the few national teaching hospitals in the region.  Its importance to the LA area cannot be overstated.

The catastrophic cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funding you propose would place indispensable hospitals like Harbor UCLA at extreme peril.  This would be a huge step backwards and makes us less safe.  Your proposed 2009 budget won’t cover a “surge” in mass casualty care needed in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.  Instead, the cuts represent a “purge” of life-saving capabilities.

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