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Florida hospitals are not taking any more victims from the Haiti earthquake in an effort to free up beds. 526 people injured in Haiti have been treated in Florida. As Whitney Ray tells us, the state is worried about its ability to provide medical attention to Floridians in the event of a major disaster.

Plane loads of victims from the Haiti earthquake will have to bypass Florida to find medical assistance. The federal government put a freeze on flights from Haiti to Florida hospitals. The state asked for the freeze over concerns of hospital space.

“We are trying to make sure we don’t over burden Florida and I think that it’s important that we don’t,” said Governor Charlie Crist.

526 people injured in the earthquake have been treated instate. Most of them are US Citizens. Some are in the country on visitor visas and may not have a way to pay for their medical care.

The state is asking for federal money to pay for the victims that don’t have insurance. But the federal dollars may not cover the total cost. The Florida Hospital Association says right now doctors and nurses are focused on care not cash.

“We’ll see what the cost is and then we’ll look for appropriate ways to seek funding for it, but our first priority are the folks who need care,” said Bruce Rueben, the CEO of FHA.

160 victims still being treated in Florida will be allowed to stay despite concerns over thousands of football fans headed to South Florida for the SuperBowl.

“I want to say about Miami, they are dealing with the ProBowl and they are dealing with the SuperBowl and they said despite that influx we’re going to continue taking care of these people,” said DCF Secretary George Sheldon.

The victims of the quake will still receive US care; they just may have to fly an extra hour or two to get it from another state.

Florida hospital administrators want to stress that they are not over burdened at this point and are still able to treat patients as needed.