Statement by Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services,

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HHS Statement: Senate HELP Committee Passage of Smallpox Bill
U.S. Newswire
2 Apr 15:00

Statement by Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services,
on Senate HELP Committee Passage of Smallpox Compensation Bill
To: National Desk
Contact: HHS Press Office, 202-690-6343
web: http://www.hhs.gov/news

WASHINGTON, April 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a
statement by Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human
Services, on Senate HELP committee passage of smallpox
compensation bill:

"I commend the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor
and Pensions and Chairman Judd Gregg for showing leadership in
passing legislation to create a compensation program for public
health and medical response teams who volunteer to receive
smallpox vaccinations.

"We are asking health professionals to perform a vital public
duty as part of our comprehensive efforts to strengthen our
public health system and protect the nation from a possible
attack. Therefore, we want to provide these volunteers with the
same benefits that we provide other public safety officers when
they are injured on the job.

"Again, I thank the members of this Senate committee for their
quick and visionary action, and I look forward to working with
all members in the coming days to provide our public safety
officers protection if they are injured on the job."

---

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press
materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news

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04/02 15:00

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