NMA Calls Response to Hurricane Katrina a 'National Disgrace'

[sabra]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=52844

NMA Calls Response to Hurricane Katrina a 'National Disgrace'

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Medical Association (NMA) today called the initial response to the Hurricane Katrina crisis a "national disgrace." NMA leaders called on President George Bush and Congress to immediately lay the ground-work for a thorough and independent investigation.

...

"The initial federal response was stunningly neglectful," said Sandra L. Gadson, M.D., president of the National Medical Association. "The reckless handling of this human catastrophe, at the outset, showed that the racial disparities we see in healthcare also exist at other critical levels of the nation's health system, including disaster services."

...

"Both the physical and psychological impact of this tragedy is simply unimaginable and will require all hands on deck for months if not years to come," said Dr. Gadson.

...

"My first patient was an African American woman who cried uncontrollably the whole night. I did my best to sedate her, but within an hour she was crying the again. Her story was about her lost 13-year old daughter who she held onto as the waters kept rising in their home. When they managed to climb out of the house, her daughter, along with other family members, floated away in the raging waters and were lost in the night."

[skooooo]

1. WOOOOOT!!!!

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:



:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:

[goclark]

2. Bravo NMA!

Thank you for speaking the TRUTH about what is happening to the people.

[skooooo]

3. Will the AMA follow?

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

4. AMA would need stem cells to grow a spine

Don't hold your breath. They only speak out when it involves tort reform to limit malpractice comp.

[goclark]

10. Are we still waiting , the clock is ticking

[leesa]

5. Finally! The physicians wake up.

[faithnotgreed]

6. horrific - just like all others who are actually on the ground helping

reporters and first responders etc
they are speaking out because they are seeing and somewhat experiencing the devastation and the criminal negligence

i wish people in the media - cokie roberts and wolf blitzer come to mind- and those hard right republicans who cant see straight would actually go to these ravaged areas
and then try to call it a "blame game"

[Lone_Star_Dem]

7. It's heartbreaking to hear of such accounts, but I'm glad the NMA

... is speaking out on this.

To call this a "National Disgrace" is accurate in my opinion.

[Art_from_Ark]

8. That story about the mother is so sad

:cry:

[Megahurtz]

15. Very Sad.

;(:cry:

[fasttense]

9. I'll have to send this to my very wealthy repuke sister and brother-in-law

They are both doctors and living in the lap of luxury. But to make their money (and I believe avoid a lot of anti-semitism) they live in Baltimore, Maryland a very blue city. But because they are both excessively rich, they just love, love brush. They hide in a blue city while supporting Herr brush.

[slackmaster]

11. This is the first time I've ever heard of the NMA

Anyone else?

:shrug:

[Javaman]

12. The key word is "independant"...

Fearless leader* investigating himself* is the ultimate crime of ass covering and he* knows it.

[struggle4progress]

13. kick

[billboardproject]

14. Billboard in respone to Katrina

I put up a new billboard (in Austin, TX) today in direct response to Hurricane Katrina. I've got pictures posted at http://www.thebillboardproject.com/

[Megahurtz]

16. Good for the NMA, but

what's there to investigate?

Bush&Corp. blew it!:shrug:

Any "investigation" by the Federal Government will only lead to the Government covering up itself.:shrug:

[NorthernSpy]

17. the NMA was established in 1895 as a result of segregation

Because the AMA refused to accept membership applications from black doctors, the black doctors founded an organization of their own (although one didn't have to be black to join).

http://www.nmanet.org/History.htm