HHS Secretary Declares Public Health Emergency for Louisiana Following Hurricane Ike’s Landfall

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today declared a public health emergency to ensure that individuals, including those enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in Louisiana, continue to receive their health care items and services. The declaration follows one made on Thursday to cover Texas.

“Louisiana has felt the impact of Hurricane Gustav and now Hurricane Ike in quick succession. Today’s actions will help our beneficiaries and providers, as well as some of the area’s most vulnerable patients, in communities where hospitals and other health care delivery systems are affected,” said Secretary Leavitt. “These steps will allow beneficiaries to continue to receive their health care services.” Read more.

Hurricane Ike Public Health Actions

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt declared a public health emergency for Louisiana on Saturday, September 13. Read more

HHS Provides Prescription Drug and Durable Medical Equipment Assistance for Uninsured Texas Victims of Hurricane Ike

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced up to $2 million in individual assistance for victims of Hurricane Ike from affected counties in Texas, through a new Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) administrated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Read More

HHS Provides State Assistance in Preparing for Hurricane Ike, Recovering from Hurricane Gustav

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the continued activation of more than 1,600 agency personnel to assist Gulf states in preparing for and responding to Hurricane Ike, including support for medical evacuations which began late Wednesday night and continues today in Corpus Christi. Read More

HHS Secretary Declares Public Health Emergency for Texas

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today declared a public health emergency to ensure that individuals in Texas, including those enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), continue to receive their health care items and services.

The action gives HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs for its Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP beneficiaries. Secretary Leavitt acted under his authority in the Public Health Service Act. Read More

HHS Provides Prescription Drug and Durable Medical Equipment Assistance for Uninsured Louisiana Victims of Hurricane Gustav

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced $1 million in individual assistance for Louisiana victims of Hurricane Gustav, through a new Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) administrated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Read More

HHS Program To Improve Disaster Assistance

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced implementation of the Disaster Case Management demonstration program to make it easier for disaster victims to obtain a wide range of assistance and social services. The program will aid people from the Louisiana parishes covered under President Bush’s disaster declaration related to Hurricane Gustav. Read More

HHS Waives/Modifies Requirements under Section 1135 of Social Security Act

Information on the waiver or modifications of requirements under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act.
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HHS Supports Medical Evacuations in Preparation for Gustav

HHS personnel will assist the states of Louisiana and Texas in evacuating an estimated 900 special medical needs patients today and in providing care for evacuated patients. The assistance is part of HHS’ aid to states as they prepare for the expected landfall of Hurricane Gustav.
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HHS Declares Public Health Emergency for 4 States

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today declared a public health emergency to ensure that individuals, including those enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama continue to receive their health care items and services.
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