Trump admin declares public health emergency over Harvey

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price declared a public health emergency in Texas on Saturday in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, according to an HHS statement. 

Price’s decision will become active at noon on Aug. 28, three days after President Trump signed a disaster proclamation for Texas in order to provide the state with federal aid for communities as they recover from the powerful storm. Texas Governor Greg Abbot (R) had requested that Trump declare the storm a disaster.

“HHS is taking the necessary measures and has mobilized the resources to provide immediate assistance to those affected by Hurricane Harvey,” Price said in the statement. “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.”

{mosads}Price also moved to provide healthcare providers of Medicaid and Medicare more power to treat emergency medical needs in response to the hurricane by temporarily removing documentation requirements for patients without adequate medical records.

One person has been confirmed dead in the town of Rockport, Texas, which incurred heavy damages from the Category 4 storm, USA Today reported Saturday.