HHS Secretary Azar Declares Public Health Emergency for Puerto Rico Following Earthquakes

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2020-01-13

A series of earthquakes and aftershocks in Puerto Rico this week prompted Health and Human Services Secretary Alex. M. Azar II to declare a public health emergency for the U.S. territory.

In declaring the public health emergency and authorizing flexibilities for CMS beneficiaries, Secretary Azar acted within his authority under the Public Health Service Act and Social Security Act. These actions and flexibilities are retroactive to Dec. 28, 2019.

“We are concerned about potential impacts of this week’s earthquakes on the lives of our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico. Across HHS, we have worked closely with the territory’s health and human services authorities on disaster recovery, and will continue to do everything we can to help ensure the health and well-being of people across the island.”

Health care facilities in Puerto Rico will have the flexibility to ensure that sufficient health care and services are available to meet the needs of individuals enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Assets are available to quickly assist health authorities and healthcare facilities respond to medical needs if needed, including medical teams from the National Disaster Medical System and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, along with their equipment and supplies.

source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

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