A Public Health Emergency (PHE) has been declared by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra for North Carolina to address the health impacts caused by Hurricane Helene. This declaration follows recent PHE announcements for Florida and Georgia. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has been repositioning personnel and equipment to North Carolina to mitigate potential health challenges following the storm.
Secretary Becerra stated, "Efforts will be made to assist North Carolina officials in responding to the health impacts of Hurricane Helene. We are collaborating with state and local health authorities, as well as federal partners, to ensure additional medical and public health support if required."
Approximately 200 personnel from ASPR have been deployed to North Carolina. Among these experts are Health Care Situational Assessment Teams, which are responsible for evaluating the storm’s impact on hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and other healthcare facilities. Additionally, Health and Medical Task Forces and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) from the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) have been prepared to provide emergency medical care as needed.
Following recent assessments by ASPR teams in Florida and Alabama, neither state requested federal public health or medical assistance. However, in North Carolina, ASPR teams are collaborating with state and local authorities to determine the healthcare system's needs related to storm impacts. Furthermore, an expert from NDMS' Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team has been activated to offer additional expertise in North Carolina.
The PHE declarations have been issued after President Biden's emergency declarations for Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The PHE status provides the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with greater flexibility in addressing emergency health needs for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dawn O'Connell, announced that ASPR would continue deploying teams to aid the federal and multi-state response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and other affected regions. Evaluations of the storm's impacts and requests for federal assistance are ongoing.
Several proactive measures have also been implemented by HHS to support regional needs:
- The HHS emPOWER program is available to help identify the number of Medicare beneficiaries in affected areas who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and other essential healthcare services, such as dialysis, oxygen, and home health, to facilitate response planning for at-risk citizens.
- The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering free crisis counseling via the Disaster Distress Helpline, which is available 24/7 in multiple languages. Residents in the U.S. and its territories can connect with trained counselors by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have made health and safety materials available online, including guidance on storm safety, food safety, and power outage protocols. Health and safety messaging and resources have been shared with public health officials in the affected states.
- CDC/ATSDR also collaborated with GasStationTV to display a public service announcement on carbon monoxide poisoning and generator safety at gas stations across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Additional support is being assessed by CDC/ATSDR.
- HHS has also waived sanctions and penalties for violations of certain provisions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule for hospitals in the emergency areas. Bulletins have been issued by the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) explaining the waivers and their duration.
Secretary Becerra acted within his authority under the Public Health Service Act and the Social Security Act to declare the public health emergency and authorize flexibilities for CMS providers, suppliers, and beneficiaries. These actions are retroactively effective from September 25, 2024.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
