CHCC gets $693K for emergency prep, hearing detection

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is receiving $692,935 in federal program funding, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan announced yesterday. Most of the money, $627,895, will be used to keep the Commonwealth Health Center prepared for a variety of public health emergencies. The rest, $65,040, will go to screening newborns for hearing problems.

“Congress appropriates the preparedness funding through the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program and through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program,” Sablan said. “But the purpose of both programs is the same: to be sure that hospitals and other healthcare systems are ready to deliver care effectively in the event of any public health emergency that may arise.

“While the risk of bioterrorism in the Marianas may be low, we are too well aware that typhoons are always a threat to our islands. And other natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and accidental releases of hazardous materials are also possibilities we need to be ready for. So these federal funds are very important.”

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness program sets the goal for state, territorial, and local public health departments to develop and maintain 15 preparedness capabilities. These include public warning systems, volunteer management, and community recovery.

There are 62 recipients of the readiness funds nationwide, all the states and territories, as well as several large metropolitan areas.

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Information System program is the source of the remaining $65,040 that the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is receiving. The funds support development and maintenance of a newborn hearing screening system. The system is also intended to continue monitoring children to be sure that they receive any necessary follow-up care.

“I will continue to speak up for all of these programs,” Sablan said. “We need these services and capabilities in the Commonwealth Health Center, and without this federal money I do not know that the Commonwealth government would be able to provide any alternative funding.”

Last week the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives released its proposed spending bill for the Department of Health and Human Services. Emergency preparedness funding got a $45 million boost in the bill. (PR)