CMA recently submitted comments on the state’s Pandemic Influenza Response and Preparedness plan, expressing concern that the California Department of Health Services (DHS) is not further along in the planning process. CMA in its comments urged DHS to move quickly to ensure that California is ready to respond effectively in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak.

A bird flu pandemic could result in 1.6 million hospital admissions and 260,000 fatalities in California alone, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). To prepare for what many see as a looming health care crisis, CDC has mandated—and funded—state pandemic preparedness planning efforts. CMA is an active participant a number of workgroups that meet regularly to discuss related public health issues, including pandemic flu planning.

CMA’s written comments called the DHS plan a good first step. “This plan outlines many of the difficult issues and questions that a final plan must address,” wrote CMA President Michael Sexton, M.D., in the comments. “We applaud the department for beginning this very challenging process. However, we are concerned that the plan is not further along in its development—that no answers, commitments, or specific directions have been determined.”

CMA, represented by Trustee Brian Johnston, M.D., also recently testified at a legislative oversight hearing on DHS’s pandemic response plan. Dr. Johnston reiterated CMA’s concerns about the plan’s progress to date and suggested that the department utilize CMA’s experience and expertise to help expedite the plan’s development.

DHS has invited Dr. Johnston and CMA staff to meet later this month with state public health officer Mark Horton, M.D., to discuss how we might work together on this and other vital public health issues.

Contact: Robin Flagg, 415/882-5110 or rflagg@cmanet.org.