Georgia Declared a Public Wellness Emergency by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
Currently, the U.S. Division of Wellness and Human Solutions (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced a Public Wellness Emergency (PHE) declaration for the state of Georgia in response to the wellness impacts of Hurricane Idalia. This declaration aligns with President Biden’s emergency declaration and grants higher flexibility to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) healthcare providers and suppliers to address the emergency wellness desires of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Secretary Becerra expressed the commitment of HHS to assistance Georgia officials in tackling the wellness consequences of Hurricane Idalia. Following President Biden’s guidance, HHS is collaborating closely with regional and state wellness authorities and federal partners to provide added public wellness and healthcare assistance.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell highlighted the significance of the declaration and waiver, stating that it guarantees continuous access to healthcare for residents of Georgia. ASPR is operating closely with state and regional wellness authorities to supply federal assistance as expected.
The declaration of the public wellness emergency and the authorization of flexibilities for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries had been produced inside Secretary Becerra’s authority below the Public Wellness Service Act and Social Safety Act. These actions and flexibilities are retroactive to August 30, 2023.
For a lot more info on Public Wellness Emergency declarations, check out https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PHE/Pages/default.aspx.

