Officials at the two La Crosse medical centers want a public health emergency declared in La Crosse County due to the H1N1 flu.

Such a move would give the hospitals more flexibility in caring for flu patients, plus protect health care volunteers from liability, officials said.

Gov. Jim Doyle declared an H1N1 state of emergency May 1 that he says remains in place. But a law that took effect Oct. 21 states an emergency declaration is valid for 60 days and only can be extended by the state Legislature, said William Shepherd, the county's corporation counsel.

"I don't think there is a problem with Doyle's declaration, but we'll continue with a county resolution to be proactive and the need for collaboration at the local, state and national level," Shepherd said.

President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 outbreak a national emergency Oct. 24.

"We want everyone on the same page - federal, state and local," Joan Curran, Gundersen Lutheran chief of government relations and external affairs, said in explaining the hospitals' request.

The county Health and Human Services Board will consider the emergency declaration today. The full county board then could act at its meeting Tuesday.