Friday, March 27, at 1 p.m.
Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Tpke. East Meadow
ER Entrance

Legislator Mejias Demands Bioterrorism Cuts Be Restored
Funding Critical for the Safety of Long Island

Attending:
Nassau County Legislators Dave Mejias and Judi Bosworth
Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro
James J. Callahan III, Commissioner, Office of Emergency Management
Eileen Scanlon, Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Dr. Antonio Napolitano, Director of Operations, NUMC ER
Dr. Maria Torroella Carney, Commissioner, NC Department of Health
Dr. Mary Curtis, Deputy County Executive, Health and Human Services
Dr. Aaron E. Glatt, Chief Operating Officer (CEO) at New Island Hospital in Bethpage

Visuals: Media access for trailer containing cots, Medical Reserve Corps. Go-Bag, Point Of Distribution information.

Nassau County’s ability to respond to public health emergencies is in jeopardy due to the pending loss of 1.3 million dollars from the New York State. They have indicated that they will reduce local funding by 100% in response to the 22% decrease the state has received from the federal government. The Nassau County Department of Health will have to cease operation of its Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program. Employees who are responsible for carrying out a mission dedicated to the safety and protection of the health of residents during natural and man-made disasters will be terminated. Shelters for people with special needs will close. Staff training for these shelters will end.

In response to imminent bioterrorism grant cuts by the NYS Department of Health, Legislator Dave Mejias (D-Farmingdale) said, “Our number one job as elected officials is to protect the health and safety of our residents. This is not a political issue. It’s a matter of life and death. We need answers.”

The loss affects our staffing and programs that respond to:

• Bioterrorism – National strategic stockpile
• Water supply protection
• PODs for dispensation of emergency items located countywide
• Hurricane preparedness
• West Nile Virus, measles, mumps, and other infectious disease outbreaks whether natural or intentional
• Our medical reserve corps of hundreds of volunteer nurses and doctors
• Pandemic flu planning
• Senior flu programs
• Hospital and nursing home evacuations