Statement by the Honorable Michael C. Burgess, M.D.

Guarding Against Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Post-Katrina Relief and Recovery:

The Plans of Inspectors General

September 28, 2005

Mr. Chairman, thank you for having this important hearing today. While many have called for an extensive investigation into the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I feel that this committee should have the primary oversight investigatory powers over this complicated situation. Not only does this committee have both subpoena power and a history of bipartisanship, this committee’s jurisdiction will be significantly affected in coming months as the rebuilding and revitalization effort continues with programs related to public health, environmental cleanup, telecommunications, and economic development. Mr. Chairman, thank you for your leadership into this matter.

Never before has our country been faced with the challenges, and perhaps opportunities, due to a natural disaster of this size and proportion. My prayers continue to go out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and I firmly believe that our great nation has shown in the past that it can come together during times of great crisis; we will continue to rise to that challenge again now. But we must do this in a way that ensures we have accountability, not delinquency. We cannot let the needs of our citizens in the Gulf Coast Region be compromised by inefficient bureaucratic delay.

I share my colleagues’ deep concern with regards to the coordinating relief and recovery efforts at the federal, state, and local level. Today, I hope this committee is able to learn of the current oversight initiatives being undertaken at the represented agencies before us. Hurricane Katrina taught us all that we need a better system in place when responding to catastrophic events. As a physician, I am particularly interested in hearing from the representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services. I’m still waiting for answers to basic questions such as why help was turned away. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this with you in further detail, and to also learn of anticipated regulatory changes needed to help ensure that our public health system isn’t endangered.

Again, Mr. Chairman, I thank you for this crucial hearing in which we can address some of these essential concerns regarding post-Katrina relief and recovery.