IntroductionThe initial response, or lack thereof, to the widespread Gulf Coast disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina demonstrated high levels of incompetence and disorganization on the part of government officials. Images of desperate individuals waiting to be rescued on rooftops and masses of people crowded together in deplorable conditions in the Super Dome went around the world. There was no hiding from the painful reality and the obvious inaction or inability of those responsible to care for these people in the wake of this catastrophe. (12, 791) While much of the blame has been placed on FEMA, it should be understood that multiple factors contributed to the situation in New Orleans. Some sections of the levees had been poorly constructed and had not been properly maintained. Local agencies failed to adequately plan and prepare for such an event. Local officials waited too long to order evacuations and did not consider how to help citizens who lacked the financial resources to evacuate on their own. (1.24)HISTORY OF FEMAFederal intervention following natural disasters began after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. This 8.3 magnitude earthquake killed 478 people and left over 250,000 homeless. While the disaster itself was obviously inevitable, the subsequent fires that swept across the city were the result of inadequate planning. (1, 17) In an effort to consolidate existing programs and improve the nation's level of preparedness, President Carter created FEMA in 1979. Initially, FEMA was praised for improving communication between various levels of government and multiple agencies during a crisis. (1.19)As part of the reorganization of the federal government in response to the......half paper......charging individuals to pay for services, perhaps as an extension of the Medicare program. Survivors who have suffered a high level of mental or physical trauma and those who suffer from pre-existing conditions should be identified and considered for urgent care. (2, 425) Mobile health units could be used in semipermanent housing developments, such as trailer parks created following the Katrina disaster. (2, 425) Legislative barriers to obtaining mental health services need to be removed. Addressing the mental health needs of survivors is increasingly recognized as an integral part of emergency management around the world. Failure to adequately address these needs may jeopardize the recovery of affected populations, and these individuals risk becoming dependent on state and federal aid. (2, 246)