Mike Leavitt Quotes

"This laboratory test is a major step forward in our ability to more quickly detect cases of H5 avian influenza and provides additional safeguards to protect public health."

"We did take a step forward in the process, ... Sometimes action isn't always yes and no. Sometimes it requires additional thought."

"We may be the first generation in human history with the ability to do something in advance of this."

"This agreement will help speed the process of developing vaccines we will need to fight an outbreak if the avian flu starts to spread rapidly through the human population."

"Texas has been providing immediate and life-saving services to thousands of its neighbors in the wake of this disaster, and our nation is grateful,"

"A pandemic is different than any other disaster that we've ever managed."

"H5N1 is mostly an animal disease today. To stop it from spreading to humans, we have to stop it in birds,"

"The natural evolution now will be for the shelters to see the pace of patient influx slow, and that is now happening,"

"This corner of Olympic corruption did not begin in Salt Lake City. But let it end here,"

"You can, as a Utah company -- or a Silicon Valley company with a Utah operation -- rest with some certainty that you will have power,"

"their critical involvement and personal commitment to preparedness and response."

"There is no reason for anyone to delay or go without it, ... The vaccine is available and supply for flu season is good."

"Starting today, October 24th, we're making influenza shots available to everyone, ... There's no reason for anyone to delay or go without their seasonal flu shot."

"We have all been touched by this tragedy and profound sadness, grief and anger are normal reactions that many people may experience, ... We want people to know that we have a nationwide team of crisis counseling experts available to help people through their grief and loss."

"Avian flu or H5N1 is still primarily a disease among animals, ... Human deaths have been almost exclusively among humans who came into contact with infected birds. The virus has not shown itself to be easily transmitted from person to person and, unless it does, will not result in pandemic."

"The incentives in our health care system are just wrong ? wrong for providers, wrong for payers, wrong for patients, ... Providers get paid on the basis of the quantity of the care they provide, not the quality of outcomes."

"Pandemics are global in nature, but their effects are always local."

"It was more difficult to establish a foothold at the convention center and the Superdome because of the security issues that have been widely reported, but, ultimately, health care was provided in those areas, ... people received remarkable care under the circumstances."

"Some of the insurance plans did not properly anticipate the level of service that would be required on this group, and were understaffed. We have worked with the plans to make sure those staffing levels were adjusted accordingly."

"We are gravely concerned about the potential for cholera, typhoid and dehydrating diseases that can come as a result of the stagnant water and conditions."