Who gets help in a health pandemic?

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health is deciding who would qualify for vaccines, medicine and breathing equipment during a severe influenza pandemic.

The department has a draft proposal on how to allocate medical resources in the event of a pandemic and is taking public comment on that proposal through March.

Guests

• Dr. Ruth Lynfield: pediatrician and Minnesota state epidemiologist
• Ellie Garrett: assistant director for health policy and public health, Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics
• Debra DeBruin: director of education and assistant professor, University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics

More from MPR

• Minn. Health Department issues pandemic flu plan
  January 30, 2009
• Minn. asks parents to ensure Hib vaccinations
  January 23, 2009
• Possibly tainted peanuts shipped to Minn. schools
  January 30, 2009
• Salmonella victims' families angered by FDA report
  January 30, 2009
• Daschle faces more questions in nomination bid
  February 3, 2009

Resources

• News Cut: Pandemic plans
• Draft proposal for allocating resources
• Minnesota Department of Health
• Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics
• University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics