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Posted: Monday, July 2nd, 2012 9:00 AM HST

State gets federal emergency funding

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

Hawai`i's congressional delegation says the state is getting $6.8 million in federal funding to help the state's medical system prepare for emergencies, such as a biological terror attack. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye says the funding revealed Friday is critical to "maintaining safe, healthy communities." He says disease outbreaks could overwhelm the state's health care system. Fellow Democratic Sen. Daniel K. Akaka says Hawai`i's health care institutions must be properly prepared to operate under emergency situations like a terror attack. He says the money could help save thousands of lives in Hawai`i. The state will dole the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services money out to counties.