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The Decline of the National Disaster Medical System
House Committee on Government Reform Special Investigations Division
House Committee on Government Reform
Special Investigations Division
Abstract
The Special Investigations Division of the House Committee on Government Reform assessed the state of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), a crucial element of the U.S. emergency response system responsible for providing medical care after national disasters. The study reveals that a combination of poor management, bureaucratic restructuring, and insufficient funding significantly undermined NDMS's ability to respond effectively to major disasters. The report is based on internal reports from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services, after-action reports from Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), and interviews with officials. It concludes that without substantial reforms NDMS cannot adequately fulfill its mission, posing a threat to the nation's emergency medical response capabilities.
Date
2005-12-09
Document Type
House Minority Staff Report
Serial Number
Document Length
23 pages
Congress
109
Relation
DOI
Keywords
Staff Reports
PAP Major Code
16: Defense
PAP Minor Code
1615: Civil Defense and Homeland Security
Related Hearings
House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on "Creating the Department of Homeland Security: Consideration of the Administration\342\200\231s Proposal," 107th Cong., H.Hrg. 107-113, (2002, June 25 and July 9)
House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Rules, hearing on "Homeland Security Jurisdiction: The Perspectives of Committee Leaders," 108th Cong., H.Hrg. 108-42, (2004, March 24)
House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Rules, hearing on "Homeland Security Jurisdiction: The Perspectives of Committee Leaders," 108th Cong., H.Hrg. 108-42, (2004, March 24)