The provisions of the Act are intended to develop comprehensive bioterrorism preparedness plans, upgrade infectious disease surveillance and investigation capabilities, enhance the readiness of health care systems to deal with large numbers of casualties, expand public health laboratory and communications capacities, and improve connectivity between hospitals, local health departments, and state health departments to enhance disease reporting.
The funding allocated by the Biological Preparedness Act to states and communities is divided into three parts. The first portion comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is targeted to support bioterrorism, infectious diseases, and public health emergency preparedness activities statewide. For Michigan, the amount from the CDC is $27.1 million.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is providing the second portion of funding, which is to be used by states to create regional hospital plans to respond to a bioterrorism attack. For Michigan, the amount from HRSA is $4.1 million.
The Department of Human Health Services - Office of Emergency Preparedness, through support of the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS), provides the third portion of funds. MMRS contracts are especially aimed at improving a community's ability to respond to an event involving mass casualties, especially to a release of a chemical or biological agent. Current MMRS programs in Michigan are located in Grand Rapids, Warren, and Detroit.
Over the last several years, Michigan and other states have received small funding awards form the CDC. This prior funding has been used to increase the ability to respond to acts of bioterrorism across the entire state, with focus on coordinating emergency management activities, enhancing disease detection and reporting, improving biological and chemical laboratory capacity, and enhancing Michigan's Health Alert Network.
HRSA funds have been distributed in two allocations. Phase I moneys were provided for needs assessment, planning, and initial implementation. For Phase I, the allocation included 20% of total funds ($820,042.00). Phase II moneys were designated for implementation efforts. 80% of grant moneys ($3.2 million) were designated for Phase II.
With the allocations came a Federal funding restriction: The State of Michigan may use 50% of Phase I allocation for its own use, but must ensure 80% of Phase II allocation ($2.6 million) is used by hospitals.
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) submitted a Phase I proposal to HRSA on February 25, 2002. The proposal identified staffing and medical direction of the State Program, establishment of a state "Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Planning Committee", and timelines to develop the needs assessment, implementation plan, and funding projects.
MDCH submitted a Phase II proposal to HRSA on April 12, 2002. Following approval of proposals by HRSA, MDCH established cooperative agreements with district Coalitions (or Medical Bioterrorism Defense Networks). The agreement identified organization infrastructure requirements, plan development and implementation requirements, and reporting requirements. Details about the Coalition organization can be found at The Coalition.
In an effort to make a seamless response network for bioterrorism planning and implementation, the established Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division districts were used to identify planning regions for the HRSA and CDC initiatives. Utilizing these districts capitalizes on previously established relationships, communication networks, and services that have been in place for many years.
On October 3, 2002, the Steering Committee that provided direction for the district during the initial planning stages of the HRSA grant process transitioned to become the Planning Board for The District 1 Regional Medical Response Coalition. The District 1 Regional Medical Response Coalition officially formed as an organization.
The Coalition, although led by regional Medical Control Authorities and hospitals, represents a broad-spectrum of organizations and agencies located within the district. Details about participating organizations can be found at The Coalition.
The Coalition will serve to assure that district planning activities are effectively integrated into the overall regional domestic preparedness strategy. This will assure optimal interoperability among hospitals, EMS agencies, and regional public health, public safety, and emergency management organizations.
