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Wal-Mart testifies about Katrina response Friday, Sep 23, 2005 By Elizabeth Piet Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- A Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., executive urged a congressional panel on Thursday to incorporate electronic medical records and an emergency federal prescription drug plan into the response to national emergencies like Hurricane Katrina. Bob Dufour, director of pharmacy professional services and government relations for the Bentonville-based retailer, said national stockpiles of medications and supplies should be on hand to ship to emergency centers or disaster zones, but local pharmacies are vital. "There are many more community pharmacies and other types of local health care centers that are accessible and convenient to people in their communities," Dufour told members of the House Health and Oversight and Investigations committees. Dufour spoke on behalf of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Further, the federal government should have a clear policy to reimburse for uncompensated medical services, Dufour said. In addition, better care could have been given to Hurricane Katrina evacuees if a national patient identification system was in place and electronic records of medical history were available, Dufour said. "This would have helped deliver care to these evacuees, who in most cases did not have any of their medical information with them," he said. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said it was imperative that Congress adequately fund public health agencies and avoid cuts to Medicaid. "We need to invest in the services that help Americans bounce back after a crisis and build better lives," said Brown, the panel's top Democrat. "We can't ignore Medicaid and claim to be stewards of public health." Others testifying included representatives of the American Red Cross, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ardis Hoven of the American Medical Association drew attention to immediate needs to rebuild health care infrastructures and clean up contaminated areas. Others called for additional doctors and nurses to aid those in the Gulf region. -- 30 -- |
