Bush seeks antibioterror funds.(Brief Article)

2002 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Nearly $6 billion will be spent during the new budget year to prepare for bioterrorist attacks, "a new American vulnerability laid bare," if Congress goes along with President Bush's

proposals.

Barely a budget blip before September 11, bioterrorism accounts for some of the largest increases the president is proposing.

"This new investment shows the president is absolutely determined to make sure our response capabilities get to where they need to be," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said of the proposals for the budget year beginning October 1, 2002.

The president has asked Congress for some $300 million to help states create networks that could be key in the case of biological or chemical attacks.

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge noted that, when combined with money already approved for this year, bioterrorism preparation would see nearly $10 billion over just 2 years, "which is absolutely unprecedented." It's needed, he said, to combat what the budget proposal called "a new American vulnerability laid bare." Before September 11, the government was spending less than $1.5 billion each year.

Ridge added that much of the spending will improve the public health system generally.