Letter of Support for Bioterrorism
Preparedness Act of 2001
December 5, 2001
The Honorable Bill Frist
United States Senate
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Frist:
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) offers
its support for S. 1715, the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act
of 2001, and commends you and Senator Kennedy for your leadership
in crafting this legislation, which seeks to improve the preparedness
of the nation's health care system to respond to bioterrorist
attacks on the civilian population. The AAMC represents the
nation's 125 accredited medical schools, nearly 400 major
teaching hospitals and health care systems, 98 academic societies
representing more than 100,000 faculty members and the nation's
164,000 medical students and residents.
We are particularly pleased that the bill includes support
for the training of health care professionals through the
Bioterrorism Response Medical Centers program. As you know,
a key component of improving the public health system's response
is to enhance the training of the individuals who would provide
care in the event of a biological threat or attack. Also appreciated
is the support for increasing the capacity of hospitals to
provide health care during and after a biological attack.
Finally, we feel it is essential to have a coordinated health
care response amongst federal agencies and health entities,
as is provided for in the bill.
We look forward to assisting you and Senator Kennedy as this
legislation is considered by Congress.
Sincerely,
Jordan J. Cohen, M.D.
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