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The Issues

Advocate for increased healthcare capacities to address disasters

Most community-wide disasters will require adequate surge capacity to address the healthcare needs of large numbers of casualties resulting from biological, chemical or nuclear terrorism. Unfortunately, many communities today are experiencing local healthcare systems stretched to the limit and in financial crisis as evidenced by hospital downsizing and closures, emergency department overcrowding, widespread and frequent ambulance diversions, and severe nurse and other hospital staff shortages. The net result is that local healthcare systems are currently structured with a very limited surge capacity, even for normal day-to-day operations. Adequate planning for mass casualty incidents will require immediate and sustained funding to promote the ability of communities to create and sustain surge capacity.