Flu Epidemic Could Lead To Rationing Of Ventilators

BALTIMORE (AP) --Maryland's attorney general has issued an opinion that found that the governor has the authority to ration life-saving ventilators if a flu epidemic hit Maryland.

The Baltimore Sun reports attorney general Brian Frosh found in December that the Catastrophic Health Emergencies Act of 2002 gives the governor the power to declare a public health emergency and hospitals would rely on criteria to allocate the resources.

The criteria don't exist yet, however. It's unclear when they will be finished.

Del. Terri Hill of Howard County, who requested the attorney general's opinion on the governor's powers, says there is a need for a state plan on the issue.

Various institutions including John Hopkins University have held public meetings to gather input should an epidemic arise that would require distributing ventilators.