The Bush administration's proposed plan for action in the event of pandemic flu fails to address where the money to enact it will come from.
While there has been a $7.1-billion funding request for preparedness, there is no mention of how to pay for the services that will be necessary after a pandemic hits.
The plan also lacks other key elements. There is no mechanism for granting emergency medical coverage to the uninsured, and no priorities are set for the distribution of vaccines and anti-viral drugs.
But the biggest problem is money. Billions more will be needed for state and local preparedness, hospitals and local health care.