Panel approves anti-terror role for VA

A bill giving the Veterans Affairs Department an important role in combatting bio-terrorism won swift and unanimous approval Wednesday from the House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee.

Under the guidance of Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, and supported by Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., the "National Medical Emergency Preparedness Act of 2001" (H.R. 3253), was approved by voice vote.

Before final action, a new text incorporating two other bills was adopted without objection. The incorporated measures were the "Medical Education for National Defense in the 21st Century Act" (H.R. 3254) and the Department of Veterans' Affairs Reorganization Act of 2002 (H.R. 4559).

"The VA will have a leadership role in emergency preparedness," Fliner said. But then he asked rhetorically, "How are we going to fund it?" Filner expressed hope that the funding would not take away from what the VA is already spending on its existing responsibilities. Moran said he wanted to be sure any of the implementation funds would not come out of VA health funds.

A senior committee staff aide said the VA would "be recasting its budget formulation data" and it was expected that the VA "will include a line item in its next budget request" to cover the additional costs of the new program.

According to a subcommittee summary, the bill would establish at least four new "national emergency preparedness centers" at VA medical centers. The new preparedness centers would do research on chemical, radiological and biological threats and on how to develop "health responses."

In addition, the centers would educate and train VA and community health workers on how to deal with such threats and provide "rapid response laboratory assistance to local healthcare authorities" in any national emergencies.

The bill would authorize $100 million over five years for the new centers, and authorize one more assistant secretary in the VA.