HHS Secretary Alex Azar extends COVID-19 public health emergency, extends waivers

Posted on: 7/30/20

After consulting with public health officials and associations advocating for an extension, last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar signed a renewal of determination, effective July 25, that extends the current COVID-19 public health emergency by up to 90 days, which would make the end Oct. 23.

The public health emergency determination previously was renewed in April. The additional 90 days will come as a relief to many health care professionals and patients, as this extension will allow for continued implementation of policies outlined in existing waivers that have been implemented because of the pandemic. Those 1135 waivers for COVID include EMTALA, physical environment, verbal orders, discharge planning, etc. See OHA’s April 3 Hotline article on the waivers. OHA staff has confirmed that all of the 1135 waivers received by Oklahoma are extended. 

National emergency not renewed yet – The Presidential National Emergency is still set to expire Aug. 25. Governors from more than 40 states, including Oklahoma, have asked the administration to renew the national emergency. A national emergency allows Oklahoma to continue to use Oklahoma National Guard assistance in the hospital surge, long-term care, and PPE deployment. (Sandra Harrison)