I read Nicholas D. Kristof's excellent op-ed piece in today's NY Times on how our health care system (and the politics surrounding it) will handle (or mishandle) the possible coming flu pandemic. That's scary stuff in and of itself, but I fixated on his third paragraph:
Not to be impolite, but Republicans like Karl Rove and Senator Susan Collins (along with some Democrats) lost credibility on this front when they scolded Mr. Obama a few months ago for proposing stimulus spending on something as frivolous as ... preparations for a flu pandemic. (Note to Senator Collins: You might want to remove from your Senate Web site the February article citing your opposition to pandemic preparation.)
I was curious, so I went to Sen. Collins' official website and did my own poking around. More after the fold.
So as y'all know, politicians' official websites can seem to come out of an alternate universe (in which they are dressed in shining white and ride in to save the day). Collins' is no exception. The press releases are full of glowing praise for her tireless work on behalf of the appreciative citizens of Maine. She has canny insights into the national political scene. You get the drift.
So what's the story with the flu?
Back in February of this year, she posted this story: GOP Wields More Influence Over the Stimulus Bill - The Wall Street Journal. The 4th paragraph pertains to flu pandemics:
After meeting with Mr. Obama, Sen. Collins expressed concern about a number of spending provisions, including $780 million for pandemic-flu preparedness. "I have no doubt that the president is willing to negotiate in good faith, that he wants to have a bipartisan bill," Sen. Collins said.
The implication is that this is wasteful spending--just more "bloat", more "pork."
Let's fast forward to last week. Here's her press release from April 27th: STATEMENT FROM SENATOR COLLINS’ OFFICE ON PANDEMIC FLU Here, the 4th and 6th paragraphs show some subtle shifts:
"During negotiations of the economic stimulus package, Senator Collins always maintained that, though very worthwhile, pandemic flu research funding should go through the regular appropriations process since it did not meet the test of stimulus spending. And, in fact, the Omnibus Appropriations bill that was signed into law in March, less than a month after the stimulus bill, contains $156 million for pandemic influenza research, which is $1.4 million more than the Fiscal Year 2008 level.
Translation: Even though I'm against funding to prevent/deal with flu pandemics, I'm really for it.
"There is no evidence that federal efforts to address the swine flu outbreak have been hampered by a lack of funds. It is, however, a problem that the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services still do not have top positions filled. I hope that the Senate will move promptly to confirm Governor Sebelius for HHS Secretary."
Translation: My foot dragging and opposition to flu pandemic funding won't wind up killing anyone.
And most recently, from April 29th: SENATORS COLLINS COMMENDS FEDERAL RESPONSE TO SWINE FLU
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Susan Collins, R-Me., and Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Wednesday commended the federal response to the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, but warned of the outbreak's unpredictability and the need for continued vigilance, particularly at the border.
... even though she didn't think the govt. needs money for responding to flu pandemics.
"As the number of confirmed cases continues to increase, American families have the right to know that their federal government is doing everything possible to combat this potential pandemic," said Senator Collins. "To date, it appears that our federal officials have taken the threat seriously and responded appropriately. As Secretary Napolitano and Rear Admiral Schuchat testified at today's hearing, our nation's ability to respond to this outbreak has grown by leaps and bounds as a result of significant investments that Congress has made. But to help address the threat, I strongly advocate for more effective, enhanced methods to detect swine flu at the border, such as a stepped up medical presence and the use of technology to assist CBP officers."
"The federal response to the swine flu outbreak has been strong and reassuring," Lieberman said. "But we are in the midst of a grave public health emergency whose course is not clear. We must remain on alert, take all possible preventative actions, and prepare for an escalation of the outbreak."
See that? Our ability to respond is the result of investments Congress has made (to which Sen. Collins was opposed, before she was for it). I wonder if she has any brilliant thoughts on how we should make further preparations?
There are more goodies in the most recent press release... read it yourself.