HHS Officially Extends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
Yesterday, Health and Human Services has officially extended the
COVID-19 public health emergency declaration for another 90 days, a move
favored by radiologists, hospitals and other providers.
Secretary Alex Azar endorsed the renewal on Thursday
night, ahead of its expiration on Saturday, July 25. With it comes several
policy implications for physicians that would have disappeared over the
weekend.
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
may, under section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, determine that:
a) a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency (PHE); or b) that a
public health emergency, including significant outbreaks of infectious disease
or bioterrorist attacks, otherwise exists.
Duration and Notification: The declaration lasts for the duration
of the emergency or 90 days, but may be extended by the Secretary. Congress
must be notified of the declaration within 48 hours, and relevant agencies,
including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and
Federal Bureau of Investigation, must be kept informed.
For a copy of
the renewal, click on the link below: