Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price declared a public health emergency in the state of Texas as Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Saturday.
“HHS is taking the necessary measures and has mobilized the resources to provide immediate assistance to those affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Secretary Price in a statement posted to HHS.gov.
“We recognize the gravity of the situation in Texas, and the declaration of a public health emergency will provide additional flexibility and authority to help those who have been impacted by the storm.”
Additionally, Price has given HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare beneficiaries, and their health care providers more flexibility in terms of meeting the needs of others during emergency situations.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall late Friday night and is the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. in a decade. As a Category 4 storm, it is expected to cause catastrophic damage to Texas, and according to the National Hurricane Center, leave the land “uninhabitable for weeks or months.”
