Earlier this year, Tara O’Toole, MD, MPH, undersecretary for Science and Technology-designate at the Department of Homeland Security, was asked what she would tell President Obama if given the chance.

Her reply: “There is a possibility, a real possibility, that there could be the equivalent of a bio-Katrina on his watch.” But was this statement cause for alarm or simply an educated guess with little information to back the hypothesizing? In either case, is the United States healthcare system prepared for a potential bio-Katrina?

Is your facility prepared?