The Trust for America’s Health has issued its annual report card on how states are doing in preparing for disease, disaster, and bioterror. Five states earn a perfect 10 out of 10: Louisiana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. At the bottom of the scale — earning just 5 out of 10 — are 6 states, including Arizona.
Fortunately for Arizona, the Governor who helped the state earn this distinction — Janet Napolitano — will soon be resigning to move on to bigger and better things. The bad news — for the country — is that she will be soon head up the Department of Homeland Security — the federal office most directly responsible for dealing with these threats. The report shows Arizona doing especially poorly on preparation for a pandemic, having stockpiled only a very small amount of federally-subsidized anti-viral drugs. The state has failed to identify pathogens responsible for foodborne illnesses and failed to protect non-profits and emergency responders from legal liability for their efforts. It has also failed to create a Medical Reserve Corps to help overburdened communities respond to disasters. Hopefully Governor Napolitano will do better in Washington than she did in Arizona. Via Espresso Pundit
