Obama declares H1N1 a national emergency
from The Washington Times stories: News by Philip Elliott ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency and empowered his health secretary to suspend federal guidelines at hospitals and speed up how infected people might receive treatment in a disaster. The declaration that Obama signed late Friday allows Health and Human Services chief Kathleen Sebelius to bypass federal rules when opening alternative care sites, such as offsite hospital centers at schools or community centers, if needed. Hospitals could modify patient rules — for example, requiring them to give less information during a hectic time — to quicken access to treatment, with government approval.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/o...emergency-h1n1/