First Responders: Protect Your Health While Saving Lives After Hurricane Michael
Secretary Azar Issues Public Health Emergency Declarations for Florida and Georgia due to Hurricane Michael
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar last week declared public health emergencies (PHE) in Florida and Georgia due to damage from Hurricane Michael. The declarations follow President Trump’s emergency declaration for the states. PHE declarations give the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services beneficiaries and their healthcare providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs. As part of the response to Hurricane Michael, HHS deployed about 400 medical and public health personnel along with their caches of medical equipment to protect health and save lives.