The Trump administration announced several medical regulation cuts to allow hospitals to adapt to the needs of the coronavirus pandemic.
Seema Verma, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said on Monday that the administration was cutting regulations to allow hospitals to expand outside existing facilities, called “hospitals without walls.” The policy allows hospitals to expand to makeshift facilities to provide care better to those infected with COVID-19.
“Under the president’s leadership, CMS is waiving a wide and unprecedented range of regulatory requirements. Many healthcare systems won’t need these waivers, and they shouldn’t use them if they don’t need them, but the flexibilities are there. In a time of crisis, regulations shouldn’t stand in the way of patient care.”
Verma noted that FEMA and other agencies have set up additional hospital spaces in New York City and elsewhere. She said this policy change will allow local communities the same authority to utilize additional facilities if needed.
“FEMA is doing incredible work setting up temporary hospitals in New York and other areas, but, under these waivers, we are empowering local communities to complement and augment the work of FEMA and allowing hospital systems to tap into the capacity that already exists in their communities, making use of dorms and hotels or gymnasiums, and allowing the main hospital to focus on those that need the most intensive care,” she explained.
Verma also noted that Medicare will now cover transportation costs for medical professionals to go to the homes of the elderly to test them for the coronavirus so they do not have to go to a hospital to be tested. She added that regulations are being relaxed around licensing to allow hospitals to expand their workforce.
