The Global Center for Health Security (GCHS) at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine has helped to make Nebraska a national voice on health security expertise and biopreparedness.
Now, one-time funding being considered by the Nebraska Legislature would benefit hospitals, businesses, schools, local governments and others statewide in preparing for the next disaster, whether that be another pandemic, a natural disaster or other high-impact event.
“As this pandemic has demonstrated, our health security not only impacts our personal and family safety, but our economy, education, travel, spiritual as well as our emotional well-being,” UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, said Thursday.
Dr. Gold’s remarks came during testimony to the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, which is considering $10 million in one-time funding for the GCHS through the American Rescue Plan Act. This bill, LB 950, is sponsored by Sen. Wendy DeBoer. It is one of three that would provide funding for UNMC-related initiatives. In total, campuses within the University of Nebraska System provided testimony on eight bills on Thursday.
Chris Kratochvil, MD, distinguished chair of the GCHS, said a major investment and growth plan in the Global Center is necessary for two purposes:
- To maintain this leadership role in infectious diseases as the competitive landscape increases, ensuring that Nebraska has expanding access to world leaders in this area; and
- To propel the unprecedented potential of this Nebraska center to be the national expert in health care preparedness and response for all-hazards events, “whether another pandemic, a tornado, a train derailment releasing toxic gases or an overseas military conflict with tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers returning to American hospitals for treatment.”
Shelly Schwedhelm, executive director of emergency management and clinical operations at the GCHS, on Thursday shared examples of the work that the center had done during the pandemic throughout Nebraska.
Among the consultative site visits the GCHS participated in were 89 long-term care and assisted living facilities, several shelters, correctional facilities, numerous businesses and 19 meatpacking plants. GCHS also consulted with numerous schools, arts organizations, athletic departments and the Omaha Airport Authority during the pandemic. Many provided letters of support to the committee.
“The Global Center embraced meeting Nebraskans physically where they were to provide hands-on support in mitigating the negative impacts of the virus on Nebraskans and continues to do so today,” Schwedhelm said.
A one-time, $10 million investment in the GCHS would beget significant economic impact, according to a report from Tripp Umbach. Based on how the GCHS has leveraged other funding, the Tripp Umbach report estimated that this investment would have an annual economic impact of $27.5 million, with as many as 220 jobs created statewide and adding $1.375 million annually to the state tax base.