FederalDaily - September 8, 2006
Report Details Post-Katrina Faults
One year after Hurricane Katrina, the Government Accountability Office has issued a report that amounts
to a stern lecture over what post-storm efforts worked, what went wrong and what changes are needed
to improve the nation’s disaster readiness. In the final analysis, the storm simply overwhelmed
the best efforts of both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA). The report recommends that DHS and FEMA rigorously re-test the lines of authority for
all levels of leadership and ensure that the National Response Plan (NRP) and its Catastrophic Incident
Annex be supported by a more robust implementation scheme. The agencies also should provide guidance
and direction for federal, state and local planning and training, and take the lead in monitoring federal
agencies’ efforts to meet their responsibilities under the NRP. Furthermore, the report said,
DHS and FEMA should provide guidance on advance procurement practices and procedures for those federal
agencies with roles and responsibilities under the NRP. To see highlights from the report, go to: www.gao.gov/highlights/d06618high.pdf.
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Judge Refuses to Dismiss VA ‘Spirituality’ Case
A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
that charges that the agency has illegally integrated a “spirituality” assessment into
its health care system. Judge John C. Shabaz, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of
Wisconsin, ruled Sept. 5 that a lawsuit filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) against
the VA could proceed. The VA had asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that such care is
simply “benevolent accommodation.” The FFRF lawsuit challenges the “spiritual/faith
assessment” made by VA chaplains of VA patients, including outpatients, admitted into the medical
system. The lawsuit alleges that such assessments are used to determine whether patients are suffering
from a “spiritual injury or sickness.” The lawsuit claims this “holistic” approach
implies that “good health care is incomplete without substantively addressing the spiritual dimension
of each patient.” To see the complaint, go to: www.ffrf.org/news/2006/VAcaseproceeds.php
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Survey Respondents Report Harassment
A leading women’s group expressed dismay over a new survey conducted at the Citadel, which showed
that nearly 20 percent of female cadets there reported being sexually assaulted since starting classes,
and 68 percent reported having been sexually harassed. Almost all of the assaults occurred on the campus
of the military college, and involved another cadet, the survey said. National Organization for Women
President Kim Gandy expressed alarm over the survey findings, but applauded the Citadel for initiating
the survey, for making it public and for expressing its commitment to make changes. To see more, go
to: www.now.org/press/09-06/09-01.html.
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