Natural Disasters

Non-CDC Links

• Legal Lessons in Disaster Relief from the Tsunami, the Pakistan Earthquake and Hurricane Katrina, By Victoria Bannon and David Fisher
  This article appeared in the March 15, 2006 issue on the American Society for International Law's (ASIL) Insight newsletter.
  http://www.asil.org/insights/2006/03/insights060315.html
  
  
• Information and Links on Disasters and Emergency Preparedness from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  http://www.hhs.gov/emergency/index.shtml
  
  
• Preparedness and Response Related Resources and News from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
  http://www.hhs.gov/ophep/
  
  
• National Disaster Medical System. Information on the federally coordinated system that augments the nation's medical response capability.
  http://www.ndms.dhhs.gov/

Items

• Federal. A Failure of Initiative Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.
  (PDF file).
  (Posted 4/03/06)
  
  
• Federal. "Disaster Preparedness: Preliminary Observations on the Evacuation of Hospitals and Nursing Homes Due to Hurricanes." Released by the Govt. Accountability Office (GAO), February 16, 2006. The GAO obtained information on (1) who is responsible for deciding to evacuate hospitals and nursing homes, (2) what issues administrators consider when deciding to evacuate hospitals and nursing homes, and (3) what federal response capabilities support the evacuation of hospitals and nursing homes. This report documents the GAO's preliminary views.
  (PDF file).
  (Posted 4/03/06)
  
  
• Federal. Executive Order #13375 on Quarantinable Communicable Diseases
  (PDF file).
  (Posted 1/26/06)
  
  
• Federal. Waiver under section 1135 of the Social Security Act, issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on September 7, 2005, to waive requirements or regulations regarding health care providers, sanctions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), Medicare enrollees, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Measures to waive requirements were taken to meet the needs of Hurricane Katrina victims enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
  (PDF file).
  (Posted 10/18/05)
  
  
• Arkansas. Memorandum Immunity Protection. This memo was issued in response to Hurricane Katrina by Rick Hogan of the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, and provides a summary of federal and state laws relating to emergency personnel and their immunity from liability in the event of a declaration of emergency or public health emergency.
  (PDF file).
  (Posted 10/18/05)
  
  
• Arkansas. Waiver of Immunization Requirements for Schools and Childcare Facilities for Children Displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Paul Halverson, Arkansas Public Health Officer, entered this order on September 2, 2005, and temporarily waived immunization requirements so that children from the Gulf Coast could attend school in Arkansas.
  (PDF file).
  (Posted 10/18/05)
  
  
• Arkansas. Emergency Order: Temporary Waiver of Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Regulations Regarding Reciprocity. Paul Halverson, Public Health Officer, filed this emergency order on September 3, 2005, to respond to a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the Arkansas. The order temporarily suspends the process required for certification of EMTs from Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Iowa, Indiana, and Texas.
  (PDF file).
  (Posted 10/18/05)