In response to Hurricane Idalia, this week, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Sec. Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for the state of Florida.
HHS announced that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will send “approximately 68 emergency response personnel to the state” and noted, “HHS is aiding impacted communities through the Administration’s whole-of-government response effort.”
President Joe Biden’s emergency declaration will allow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), its health care providers and it suppliers more flexibility to help those on Medicare and Medicaid.
“We will do everything in our power to assist Florida officials with responding to the health impacts of Hurricane Idalia,” said Becerra. “At President Biden’s direction, we are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”
Among the 68 ASPR medical providers and disaster management professionals headed to Florida are 32 members of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) from around the country, including New England, Ohio, New York and California.
“These teams will rapidly assist with health care facility assessments, ensure that emergency vehicles are resupplied with life-saving medications, and provide clinical services to augment local health systems if needed,” HHS noted. “In addition to the NDMS personnel, ASPR deployed a 15-person incident management team, Regional Emergency Coordinators, Public Health Service officers, and logistics staff to work in collaboration with FEMA, Florida health authorities, and emergency response officials.”
“Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida with dangerous storm surge and hurricane-force winds,” said Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. “ASPR has deployed highly trained personnel as part of the combined federal and state response to ease the burden on local health systems during this difficult time, and we will closely monitor for additional needs as the storm evolves.”
