HHS waives certain requirements for Texas, La. and Calif. emergencies

Aug 27, 2020 - 02:34 PM
hhs-health-and-human-services-seal

The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday declared public health emergencies and waived certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements in Louisiana and Texas due to Hurricane Laura, and in California due to wildfires.

The waivers give health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs.

HHS said it also has activated an incident management team and positioned National Disaster Medical System medical personnel and equipment to help states respond to the hurricane, and coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make 50 additional ambulances available to evacuate hospitals and nursing homes if needed.

The agency said NDMS and the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps also are prepared to provide medical care and public health support in California if needed.

Related News Articles

Headline
ASPR seeks comments on Hospital Preparedness Program funding formula 
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is seeking public feedback on its Hospital Preparedness Program funding formula. The HPP is the…
Headline
Blog: 5 steps to building emergency readiness to meet the needs of children
In this AHA blog Aisha Syeda, senior program manager for AHA’s Strategic Initiatives, summarizes five action steps hospitals can take to establish pediatric…
Blog
Building Emergency Readiness to Meet the Needs of Children
In 2024, the U.S. suffered 24 weather and climate disasters. In October alone, two major hurricanes devastated communities in North Carolina and Florida,…
Headline
CDC: Pertussis cases 5x higher than last year
Reports of cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are currently five times higher compared to last year, according to the Centers for Disease…
Headline
CDC reports more cases of E. coli in outbreak from individuals eating McDonald’s prior to illness 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oct. 25 announced additional reported cases of E. coli from individuals who ate at McDonald's prior to falling…
Headline
CDC issues health advisory on disruptions in PD and IV solutions supply due to Baxter plant closure 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a health advisory on the supply disruption of peritoneal dialysis and intravenous solutions due to…