HHS Secretary Azar Declares Public Health Emergency for State of Florida Due to Hurricane Dorian

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar today declared a public health emergency for the state in preparation for Hurricane Dorian and following President Trump’s emergency declaration for the state of Florida. The declaration gives the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) beneficiaries and their healthcare providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs in disasters.

“Hurricane Dorian has grown to be an extremely dangerous storm, posing a significant threat to health and safety,” Secretary Azar said. “This declaration will help ensure that Floridians who rely on Medicare and Medicaid have continuous access to the care they need in the days after this storm makes landfall.”