The state handed out about $14.4 million in federal funds today to hospitals to help cover the costs of treating uninsured patients.

About half of the funds went to 16 private hospitals, while the rest went to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to cover costs at public hospitals.

The funds were handed out in check form at a ceremony at the Healthcare Association of Hawaii headquarters on Ward Avenue. State Department of Human Services director Lillian Koller said the money will help save jobs at a time when hospitals are struggling.

Hawaii private hospitals have gotten the federal funding to help defray costs for caring for the uninsured since 2005, and state officials said yesterday the funds have been secured through 2013. The federal appropriation is about the same every year.

The funding comes as hospitals are seeing more patients who have been laid off and don't have insurance.