U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared Public Health Emergencies (PHEs) for Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in response to the health impacts of Hurricane Debby, now Tropical Storm Debby. These declarations follow President Biden’s emergency declarations for the same states and provide the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), healthcare providers, and suppliers with greater flexibility to meet the emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
“HHS stands ready to assist residents across the Southeast impacted by Tropical Storm Debby,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “With today’s declarations and waivers, HHS is helping ensure that residents in the Southeast have continuous access to the care they need during and after this storm.”
To support South Carolina hospitals and other healthcare facilities, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has positioned approximately 50 medical providers and disaster management professionals from the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) in the state for rapid response.
These personnel include regional emergency coordinators who collaborate with state health authorities, emergency response officials, and FEMA to address public health and medical needs post-storm. The deployed team also comprises medical providers and logistics experts equipped with necessary medical supplies.
NDMS personnel are mobilized from across the country to offer rapid assistance with healthcare facility assessments, patient care in overwhelmed local communities, patient evacuation to non-affected areas, and additional support as needed. ASPR is prepared to deploy more NDMS personnel or officers from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps if required.
“The dangerous storm surge, strong winds, and rain that Tropical Storm Debby is bringing to the southeast U.S. can have serious impacts on healthcare delivery,” said Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. “ASPR’s highly trained personnel are prepared to help ease the burden on local health systems during this difficult time.”
HHS has provided information through its emPOWER program—a partnership between ASPR and CMS—to aid public health emergency planning and response activities. This program offers data on Medicare beneficiaries dependent on electricity-powered durable medical equipment or specific healthcare services like dialysis or home health care.
The Disaster Distress Helpline offers crisis counseling managed by SAMHSA. This service is available 24/7 for all U.S. residents experiencing emotional distress due to natural or human-caused disasters. To connect with a counselor, call or text 1-800-985-5990; Spanish speakers can press “2” for bilingual support.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing public health information in English and Spanish regarding flooding, mold, worker safety, among other topics.
HHS has also waived sanctions for certain HIPAA Privacy Rule violations against hospitals in emergency areas. The HHS Office for Civil Rights issued a bulletin explaining this limited waiver's application duration.
Secretary Becerra's declaration of public health emergencies authorizes flexibilities under the Public Health Service Act and Social Security Act retroactive to August 1, 2024, for Florida, and August 4, 2024, for Georgia and South Carolina.
