Saturday, June 17, 2006 | 7:43 a.m.
Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt has used the emergency airplane leased by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote the Bush administration's prescription drug benefit and to help states plan for a possible flu pandemic.
Leavitt has flown the 14-seat Gulfstream to more than 90 cities this year, at a cost of about $720,000, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Meanwhile the CDC has used its plane for three emergencies and three training events - but was forced to find other transportation in two other emergencies because Leavitt was using it.
Leavitt says he needs the airplane to shuttle around the country on a rigorous schedule as he tries to tackle the twin challenges of the new drug program and potential pandemic.
Congress limits Leavitt to "economical and judicious" use of the aircraft in emergencies. Republicans jumped to Leavitt's defense during a House hearing on the drug program when Democrats questioned his jet use.
The Republicans said it was important for a national spokesman to make appearances around the country to promote the drug benefit program. But Democrats were critical. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., said Leavitt was using the CDC's emergency jet to promote Bush and called the aircraft use irresponsible.
We agree with Lewis. The CDC has leased the airplane to respond at a moment's notice to serious health threats anywhere in the world.
The plane's uses include flying emergency personnel and sensitive equipment to outbreak sites and to collect samples.
Time is always of the essence - the first 24 to 48 hours are critical in early outbreak intervention, according to the agency.
The plane was recently used in an effort to rush a botulism anti-toxin to Thailand and to respond to a report of an anthrax case in New York City.
That's why the Gulfstream always should be at the ready - not away on a public relations mission.
If Cabinet secretaries absolutely must fly their own planes, then the proper arrangements should be made without poaching aircraft reserved for real emergencies.
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