President Obama declares H1N1 a national emergency

WASHINGTON The White House on Sunday announced that President Barack Obama signed a National Emergency Declaration on the H1N1 influenza pandemic that allows healthcare systems to quickly implement disaster plans should they become overwhelmed.

“As experts expected, H1N1 flu is moving rapidly throughout the country and the majority of states now have widespread influenza activity,” the White House stated. “This declaration gives authority for the Dept. of Health and Human Services to waive certain regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities in response the ongoing pandemic. Specifically, healthcare facilities will be able to submit waivers to establish alternate care sites, and modified patient triage protocols, patient transfer procedures and other actions that occur when they fully implement disaster operations plans.”