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| US halts Haiti victim evacuations | US halts Haiti victim evacuations |
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| The US military has stopped evacuating Haitian earthquake victims to the US in a reported dispute over medical costs. | The US military has stopped evacuating Haitian earthquake victims to the US in a reported dispute over medical costs. |
| A US military official told the New York Times flights had stopped on Wednesday as some hospitals were reluctant to take patients from Haiti. | A US military official told the New York Times flights had stopped on Wednesday as some hospitals were reluctant to take patients from Haiti. |
| The decision came a day after Florida's governor asked the federal government to help pay for healthcare. | The decision came a day after Florida's governor asked the federal government to help pay for healthcare. |
| Meanwhile, the UN's food agency says it has set up 16 distribution sites in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. | Meanwhile, the UN's food agency says it has set up 16 distribution sites in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. |
| Hundreds of patients with spinal injuries, burns and other wounds have been evacuated to the US since the 12 January quake that killed up to 200,000 people. | Hundreds of patients with spinal injuries, burns and other wounds have been evacuated to the US since the 12 January quake that killed up to 200,000 people. |
| 'Reaching saturation' | 'Reaching saturation' |
| If they won't take them, we can't fly - it's pretty simple Kevin AandahlUS Transportation Command Seaside slum where gun rules Haiti quake: Survivors' stories | If they won't take them, we can't fly - it's pretty simple Kevin AandahlUS Transportation Command Seaside slum where gun rules Haiti quake: Survivors' stories |
| Confirming the flights had stopped, US Transportation Command spokesman Capt Kevin Aandahl said on Saturday: "Apparently, some states were unwilling to accept the entry of Haitian patients for follow-on critical care. | |
| "We manage air evacuation missions, but without a destination to fly to, we can't move anybody. If we don't have permission to bring them, or they won't take them in, we can't fly the mission. It's pretty simple." | "We manage air evacuation missions, but without a destination to fly to, we can't move anybody. If we don't have permission to bring them, or they won't take them in, we can't fly the mission. It's pretty simple." |
| He declined to say which states had declined to accept patients. | |
| A spokesman for Florida Governor Charlie Crist said he was not aware of any hospital in his state refusing patients. | A spokesman for Florida Governor Charlie Crist said he was not aware of any hospital in his state refusing patients. |
| More than 500 quake victims have been treated so far in Florida hospitals, according to the New York Times. | More than 500 quake victims have been treated so far in Florida hospitals, according to the New York Times. |
| In a letter on Tuesday to US Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Mr Crist asked the federal government to activate the National Disaster Medical System, which usually pays for victims' care in domestic disasters. | In a letter on Tuesday to US Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Mr Crist asked the federal government to activate the National Disaster Medical System, which usually pays for victims' care in domestic disasters. |
| Haiti's president on how to rebuild nation | |
| He warned: "Florida's healthcare system is quickly reaching saturation, especially in the area of high-level trauma care." | He warned: "Florida's healthcare system is quickly reaching saturation, especially in the area of high-level trauma care." |
| The Republican governor's letter noted the system was already under strain because of the winter influx of elderly people. | The Republican governor's letter noted the system was already under strain because of the winter influx of elderly people. |
| Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme said its 16 distribution points in Port-au-Prince would reach many more hungry Haitians. | Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme said its 16 distribution points in Port-au-Prince would reach many more hungry Haitians. |
| The agency is also starting to distribute food coupons for families across the city. | The agency is also starting to distribute food coupons for families across the city. |
| Only women will be able to collect the rations of 25kg (55lb) of rice, designed to last them for two weeks. | Only women will be able to collect the rations of 25kg (55lb) of rice, designed to last them for two weeks. |
| Correspondents say the move to exclude men from collection points follows unruly behaviour at queues. | Correspondents say the move to exclude men from collection points follows unruly behaviour at queues. |