The inextricable relationship of emergency care, national health security/preparedness, and health care reform

摘要

As the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), I have a unique view of the intersection of the private health sector and the federal partners when it comes to emergency and disaster care. In my time in this role, I have seen the critical role that the civilian emergency care system plays in the preparedness for, response to, mitigation of, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies. In responses as diverse as hurricanes, widespread power outages, tornados, pandemics, bombings, and explosions, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication, ingenuity, and deep commitment of emergency physicians, nurses, and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide care to their community in the most trying of circumstances. And I have witnessed time and time again the critical roles played by bystanders and other community members who felt compelled to help. Preparedness and response to such events rests on the back of strong day-to-day systems. The emergency care system is one of the hallmark systems that we have come to count on in times of need. I and the people of this country take comfort in knowing that there is an emergency care system that is ready to respond at a moment's notice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and that we can count on it in times of crisis. It is my pleasure to write the first in a series of articles that will introduce Annals readers to the emergency care activities of the Department of Health and Human Services.The office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response was created as a lesson learned after Hurricane Katrina, with a goal of bringing together a disparate set of activities and creating a single point of accountability. It was authorized by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act in 2006 and reauthorized earlier this year. The office's mission is to ensure that the country is prepared for public health emergencies, including those caused by bioterrorism, and to respond to them when local and state resources are overwhelmed.