Progressive Talking Points 11/4/05

November 4, 2005

When President Bush announced his plan to deal with a possible global flu pandemic earlier this week, he "used vocabulary and tactics that are familiar from his confrontation with global terrorism." But rather than being just another "danger to our homeland," the avian flu is more than anything a public health issue.

• The bird flu pandemic is a global crisis and requires a global solution. Yesterday the President had an opportunity to use the power of his office and bring the global community together in seeking a solution to avian flu, yet much like his Iraq strategy, he chose to go it alone. If poor countries are unable to respond quickly to an outbreak, the likelihood of the disease reaching U.S. shores before its contained increases significantly. In short, the President’s plan leaves poor nations behind and by doing so would severely threaten our nation.
  
  
• The President’s current record on public health provides strong indication that he is unprepared for an avian flu outbreak. The Bush administration's inability to conquer seasonal flu vaccine shortages demonstrates how much work needs to be done on public health. During the 2004 campaign, Bush blamed vaccine shortages on a "major manufacturing defect" and said the "government is doing everything possible to help older Americans and children get their shots." One year later, the country is still facing shortage.
  
  
• The President’s plan has set up state and local governments for failure. The Bush plan would not properly fund the state and local governments that would carry out much of his strategy. The states would pay about 75 percent, or $510 million, of the costs of anti-flu drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza. Also, the plan provides for $100 million for states to pay for flu programs, while simultaneously cutting these programs by $130 million in the federal budget. Before the President forces states to shoulder most of the responsibility of dealing with the possible pandemic, he should improve their existing public health infrastructures.