By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY
Wed Feb 1, 6:48 AM ET
Louisiana officials failed to make plans in the months before Hurricane Katrina to evacuate the poor, sick and elderly, according to documents and testimony in the Senate on Tuesday.
State Transportation Secretary Johnny Bradberry acknowledged that although the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security required him to develop evacuation plans, he didn't agree with the assignment. Among the reasons he cited for not drawing up plans was a lack of resources the state needed to carry out the evacuations.
Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, called it "inconceivable" that officials didn't make it a priority to save nursing home and hospital patients. At least 200 died.
"That is just so tragic and so unacceptable," she said.
Some of the most searing images in the aftermath of the Aug. 29 storm were of elderly patients splayed out on the New Orleans convention center and airport floors. Some of the most wrenching stories came from inside the city's hospitals, where basement generators were knocked out of commission and patients and staff were left helpless for days.
Tuesday's Senate hearing was the 13th in a months-long investigation into government failures surrounding Katrina that is set to wrap up in March. The House also is investigating, as is the White House.
In an interview with Senate investigators, Bradberry acknowledged that his department had "done nothing" to make the evacuation plans.
He told Collins' committee, which is investigating government failures surrounding Katrina, that he never asked the governor to assign the responsibility to another agency. The senators lambasted him.
"The disconnect here is really troubling," Collins said.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., added: "I don't feel that you've acknowledged enough responsibility here."
Other officials also were taken to task.
The state's top health official, Jimmy Guidry, said his staff rejected an Aug. 28 offer of help with patient evacuations from the federal Health and Human Services Department because he didn't believe the department could actually provide the help it was offering.
Health and Human Services "is not in the transportation business," Guidry said. "I know what they can deliver."
Lieberman corrected him, saying that national emergency-response plans give the department evacuation responsibility.
Collins again called the situation "inconceivable." She said she couldn't fathom that "an offer from HHS, specifically for patient movement, evacuation or anything else, was turned down."
The committee's hearings continue today with testimony from New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. The House also is likely
Wed Feb 1, 6:48 AM ET
Louisiana officials failed to make plans in the months before Hurricane Katrina to evacuate the poor, sick and elderly, according to documents and testimony in the Senate on Tuesday.
State Transportation Secretary Johnny Bradberry acknowledged that although the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security required him to develop evacuation plans, he didn't agree with the assignment. Among the reasons he cited for not drawing up plans was a lack of resources the state needed to carry out the evacuations.
Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, called it "inconceivable" that officials didn't make it a priority to save nursing home and hospital patients. At least 200 died.
"That is just so tragic and so unacceptable," she said.
Some of the most searing images in the aftermath of the Aug. 29 storm were of elderly patients splayed out on the New Orleans convention center and airport floors. Some of the most wrenching stories came from inside the city's hospitals, where basement generators were knocked out of commission and patients and staff were left helpless for days.
Tuesday's Senate hearing was the 13th in a months-long investigation into government failures surrounding Katrina that is set to wrap up in March. The House also is investigating, as is the White House.
In an interview with Senate investigators, Bradberry acknowledged that his department had "done nothing" to make the evacuation plans.
He told Collins' committee, which is investigating government failures surrounding Katrina, that he never asked the governor to assign the responsibility to another agency. The senators lambasted him.
"The disconnect here is really troubling," Collins said.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., added: "I don't feel that you've acknowledged enough responsibility here."
Other officials also were taken to task.
The state's top health official, Jimmy Guidry, said his staff rejected an Aug. 28 offer of help with patient evacuations from the federal Health and Human Services Department because he didn't believe the department could actually provide the help it was offering.
Health and Human Services "is not in the transportation business," Guidry said. "I know what they can deliver."
Lieberman corrected him, saying that national emergency-response plans give the department evacuation responsibility.
Collins again called the situation "inconceivable." She said she couldn't fathom that "an offer from HHS, specifically for patient movement, evacuation or anything else, was turned down."
The committee's hearings continue today with testimony from New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. The House also is likely
We all knew that a storm like Katrina would be devestating. Of course I do understand that it is not easy if someone is on medical equipment, or needs constant medical care, but many who are in nursing homes are mobile.
