The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency for Florida in response to the health impacts of Hurricane Idalia. In alignment with President Joe Biden's directives, HHS mobilized a comprehensive, cross-agency emergency response effort, according to an Aug. 30 news release.
“We will do everything in our power to assist Florida officials with responding to the health impacts of Hurricane Idalia,” Becerra said in the release. “At President Biden’s direction, we are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”
Approximately 68 emergency response personnel, including members of the National Disaster Medical System, were deployed to Florida as part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) effort to support the state in managing the aftermath of the hurricane, the release reported.
The public health emergency declaration empowered healthcare providers and suppliers under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to enhance their flexibility in addressing the urgent healthcare needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, according to the release.
ASPR's deployment of healthcare providers and disaster management experts, including 32 members from the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), aims to address potential health repercussions in the wake of the hurricane. ASPR remains prepared to allocate additional personnel as necessary and is closely coordinating with other states potentially affected by the storm's trajectory, the release said.
The NDMS personnel, sourced from various states nationwide, are poised to rapidly assist in healthcare facility assessments, replenishing life-saving medications for emergency vehicles and providing clinical services to bolster local health systems if required, according to the release.
Complementing the NDMS personnel, ASPR deployed a 15-member incident management team, regional emergency coordinators, public health service officers and logistics personnel to collaborate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida health authorities and emergency response teams, the release reported.
Becerra's declaration of a public health emergency, accompanied by flexibilities for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, was executed within the framework of his authority as stipulated in the Public Health Service Act and Social Security Act. These measures and flexibilities have retroactive application to Aug. 27, the release said.
