Health experts say federal budget cuts could threaten Massachusetts’ ability to fight Ebola if it comes to the state.
Dr. Paul Bidinger is Chief of Emergency Preparedness at Mass General Hospital.
Testifying before state lawmakers on Thursday, he said hospitals use federal funds to buy protective suits and to support emergency training exercises.
“So, the frequency of exercising is at risk, and the purchasing of health equipment is at risk. In some cases, further planning efforts and emergency planners at smaller institutions can be at risk,” he said.
Bidinger says Massachusetts is in a better position than other states because of its robust public health and emergency management systems.
According to a federal report, annual funding for the CDC’s public health preparedness and response programs dropped by a billion dollars over the last decade.
