This week, a healthcare worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas tested positive for the Ebola virus. She was part of the team caring for Thomas Eric Duncan, the Ebola patient who died last week.
In his letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and ranking member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Sen. Casey noted funding for the Hospital Preparedness Program dropped from $515 million in 2003 to $255 million this year. With no ongoing commitment to support training activities for emergency events, Sen. Casey believes there is no way to ensure hospitals or health systems are prepared for Ebola or other similar events, according to the report.
The Hospital Preparedness Program is authorized to receive $375 million under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, and Sen. Casey wants the program to get the full amount.
More articles on Ebola:
Ebola drills help hospitals hone protocols
American College of Surgeons releases surgical protocol for Ebola patients
Ebola economic impact could reach $32.6B, World Bank says
