There are serious problems with coordination between local, State, and Federal Government law enforcement authorities. State and local officials bear most of the burden in responding to terrorism. The Federal Government is there to back them up but cooperation between the different levels of government is rarely smooth. There were accusations on the part of New York City Police that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) slowed New York’s anthrax response by withholding key information on the deadly virus for a week. To prevent a communication breakdown between these agencies, the USA Patriot Act would allow Federal authorities to provide State and local law-enforcement agencies with information about grand jury proceedings, confidential banking and educational records, wiretaps, and foreign intelligence operations. U.S. airports remain less than prepared for terrorist attacks. The steps the Government has implemented, such as increasing the use of bomb-detection technology and passenger-screening checkpoints, are not enough. The deadline in new aviation security legislation for screening all checked bags for bombs is unrealistic. Congress, while arguing in support of airline security, seems unwilling to foot the bill. There are serious vulnerabilities in the public health system. Modern communication systems are absent from many local health departments. Funding constraints have prevented some city, county, and State health departments from buying basic equipment, such as computers and fax machines. Most health offices are severely understaffed even for routine health service much less for acts of bioterrorism. Concern is growing not only about the prospect of future bioterrorist attacks but also the vulnerability of U.S. nuclear plants and computer networks, as well as a continually lax immigration policy and porous borders.