The RAND Corporation last week sounded the alarm for refocusing the nation’s attention on a potential pandemic outbreak, warning that the country is underprepared for a disaster that could claim as many as 2 million U.S. lives. Lurie said a pandemic might kill 2 million U.S. residents and 50 million worldwide. The federal government has invested more than $5 billion since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to upgrade the countrys ability to prevent and respond to large-scale public health emergencies, she said.