Boston—Today, in a letter addressed to House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Chairman of Ways and Means Charles Murphy, Representatives Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton) and Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) requested that the House take up a Pandemic and Disaster Preparation bill as soon as possible after the conclusion of FY’10 Budget deliberations.

This legislation, formally known as “An Act Relative to Pandemic and Disaster Preparation and Response in the Commonwealth,” would clarify the role of the Department of Public Health in pandemic-like emergencies, and encourage health care providers to participate in the response effort by limiting legal liability. Among other things, the bill would also require the Department of Public Health to study the specific needs of the Commonwealth with regard to funding the preparation and protection of the state and its citizens in the event of a pandemic or other wide spread disease outbreak. 

“In light of the current swine flu outbreak, I feel strongly that this legislation needs to be addressed promptly in order to ensure that the Commonwealth is well equipped and prepared in the likely event that this virus will continue to spread,” said Representative Alicea, a member of the Committee on Health Care Financing which initially reviewed and approved the bill. He is also a member of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

The joint letter was sent out following a swine flu scare this week at the Lake Street Elementary School in Spencer, when two boys, who had recently vacationed in Mexico, began to exhibit flu-like symptoms. It was later determined that neither child had contracted the swine flu virus. 

“I congratulate the actions of the Superintendent and the Spencer Health Board for dealing with the possible medical threat quickly and competently,” commented Representative Gobi. “This legislation will assist all our communities as they continue to prepare for emergency situations."