HHS declares public health emergency in New Mexico due to wildfires 

The Department of Health and Human Services this week declared a public health emergency in New Mexico due to wildfires and waived certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements to give health care providers greater flexibility to meet emergency health needs.  
 
“We are working closely with health authorities in New Mexico and monitoring the needs of healthcare facilities to support their efforts to save lives and protect health during this dangerous wildfire, which has been accelerated over the past month by straight-line winds,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. “With this declaration and waiver, HHS is helping ensure that citizens of New Mexico who rely on Medicare and Medicaid have continuous access to the care they need during this disaster and as their communities recover.”