CIVIL DISASTERS

Mr. STEED. Also, could you give us a little more information about the civil disasters in which the medical stockpile has been used?

Dr. SENCER. We will give you a list of those to which we have supplied both personnel and material.

Mr. STEED. I think it would be helpful if you could provide that for the record and include the size of the contributions from the stockpile. Dr. SENCER. Yes, sir, I would emphasize that the technical assistance of physicians and medical manpower currently in DHEW will still be available to assist in natural disasters in the future. This will continue as a function of the Department.

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DETERIORATION OF MATERIALS

Mr. STEED. In this discussion about the deterioration of some of the material and other things in the stockpile stored up, last year, I think. at least one of the witnesses stated that some of them were in such bad condition he wouldn't want to use them if he was called on to do so. Was that statement a fair summation?

Dr. SENCER. Yes, I think that was a fair summation.

Mr. STEED. Will this phaseout make available to the State and local people anything that can be used and be helpful in any future disaster? Dr. SENCER. Everything that is useful will be placed with State and and local agencies, voluntary agencies, or whoever qualifies for it.

CONTACTS WITH LOCAL AGENCIES

Mr. STEED. Do you have to contact people at the local level? Dr. SENCER.We already have been doing this. I think I mentioned before that all States but one have agreed to take on the responsibility for maintaining the packaged disaster hospitals. We have been doing this since the 29th of January.

Mr. STEED. I think that makes it possible for you to say that you have had a good record of getting folks at home to pick up the tab on some of their own problems instead of having Washington do it.

Dr. SENCER. This does not mean they will be maintained in the future. They are willing to take on the materials, but whether they will have local resources available to keep them in an updated condition is problematic.

Mr. STEED. I think that if there is negligence on their part it will suddenly be overcome. Having lived through a disaster or two and seeing the advantage of having faciilties like this to call on, I can assure you that any of those who are unaware or unwilling to give priority and importance to this won't have any problem once they get hit by a disaster. I hope they will see this opportunity and the importance of it without having to be taught that lesson the hard way. These disasters continue to happen whether we like it or not. It is just not necessary for communities all over America to sit helpless and depend on Washington when there are things they can do to be ready themselves.

Mr. Robison?

DISPOSITION OF THE MEDICAL STOCKPILE

Mr. ROBISON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Dr. Sencer, what State is the one that has not decided, so far, to take over the field hospitals?

Dr. SENCER. It is the prepositioned packaged disaster hospitals in New York State, sir.

Mr. ROBISON. Is there a reason?

Dr. SENCER. I am told this goes back to some ill feeling between the Governor of New York and the whole concept of civil defense.

Mr. ROBISON. That being my State, perhaps I ought to explore with you, if you would be objective, and I am sure you will be in your answers, if there are some disadvantages that you feel might be com

ing the way of New York because it is not going to cooperate in this area. Is the State going to lose something by not going into this?

Dr. STREICHER. Not all of the packaged disaster hospitals are refurbished in the State so that the actual value of materials to the State would be hard for us to determine at this point in time.

Mr. ROBISON. With regard to the other States, let me see if I can be clear about this. Are you going to refurbish these packaged materials before you turn them over to the States?

Dr. SENCER. No, sir.

Mr. ROBISON. The States will take them on an "as-is" basis, with no guarantees?

Dr. SENCER. That is correct.

Mr. ROBISON. The State people will have to decide what is useful, and what is not, and sort it all out and decide what future use to make of the remainder that seems to have some value?

Dr. SENCER. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBISON. I would be happy to try to negotiate between the administration, your office, and the State of New York, if you think it would be helpful. It might be that you could send me, if you like, a memo of sorts. I don't know why our State has to stick out here like a sore thumb. Maybe I can assist you in finishing one-fiftieth of the problem.

Dr. STREICHER. There is more involved than just these packaged disaster hospitals. There are hospital reserve disaster inventories. These are basically pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies which are located in private hospitals. They are usable and the hospitals are using these supplies. They are kept up to date and New York does not want them either.

Mr. ROBISON. I am in no position now to judge this, because this is the first time I have heard about it.

Dr. SENCER. We will be glad to give you a letter on the situation. Mr. ROBISON. I would appreciate having your viewpoint on it and to take it up with the State, and maybe it will reconsider.

Will there be some income, or revenue, coming back to the Government by virtue of the disposition of these materials? Will you sell any of them?

Dr. SENCER. We have sold about all that is saleable at the present time. We can supply for the record the amount of money that we have collected.

Mr. ROBISON. It has not been an easy experience, and I hope the proper decision has been made.

I would like to thank the specific people and also the administrators of this particular program for the help that we did receive, in my own area, at the time of the Agnes disaster. I think the chairman asked you to provide some information relative to what was done in this regard in the past 12 months?

HURRICANE AGNES

Dr. SENCER. We have something on Hurricane Agnes in a little more detail, if you would like that for the record.

Mr. ROBISON. I think we would.

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