News Release

STATEMENT BY MIKE LEAVITT
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding the New CBO Analysis Released by Senator Frist

I commend Senator Frist for his strong support for measures to protect the American people from a pandemic. His remarks today and release of the Congressional Budget Office�s analysis of the economic impact of a pandemic underscores the devastating impact an outbreak would have on all levels of society.

While the analysis estimates a $675 billion hit to the American economy, it is clear that this impact can be lessened by actions we take today. It is time for Congress to act on the President�s request so we can immediately begin to implement our plans to prevent and contain a pandemic, including a revitalized capacity to produce vaccines, improved surveillance systems, stockpiles of antiviral drugs and federal-state integrated preparedness plans.