Health Policy
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed into law SB 409 by Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) (Office of the Governor release, 5/17). The law appropriates more than $7 million this fiscal year to fund emergency preparedness efforts, including $5.5 million to the Department of Health Services as follows:
- $4.5 million for pandemic influenza tracking and planning efforts;
- $460,000 to purchase antiviral medications;
- $415,000 to expand operations, hire additional staff and purchase equipment for the Microbial Diseases Laboratory and Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory; and
- $76,000 to oversee management of antiviral and other medical supplies and vaccines (Bill text, 5/17).