Examines a crucial component of the nation¿s emergency response system: the Nat. Disaster Medical System (NDMS). NDMS has the primary responsibility for providing emergency medical care after a nat. disaster. In recent years, however, a combination of poor mgmt., bureaucratic reshuffling, and inadequate funding have crippled the capacity of NDMS to provide an effective medical response to disasters. The agency was struggling in 2002, saw its effectiveness plummet after its transfer to the DHS in 2003, encountered troubles responding to the hurricanes in Florida in 2004, and experienced major lapses in its response to Katrina in 2005. As it is currently constituted, NDMS cannot respond rapidly or effectively to major disasters.