HHS urged not to 'abruptly curtail' COVID-19 waivers

Hospital groups in Oregon and Washington wrote HHS Director Xavier Becerra May 23, urging him not to abruptly end COVID-19-related waivers and regulatory flexibilities when the public health emergency ends.   

Instead, the joint letter from the Washington State Hospital Association and Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems asks that certain waivers either become permanent or ramped down as capacity to provide lifesaving acute care for patients increases. 

The groups said they still rely on key waivers to get patients the care they need. 

"We want to make sure that (HHS) is aware that the effects of the pandemic have not abated for patients who need access to acute hospital care and the healthcare workforce providing that care," the groups said in the letter. "Many of our hospitals continue to operate at over 100 percent capacity on a routine basis. Hospitals are experiencing increased demand in part due to cancellations of scheduled procedures, surgeries, and services, and they continue to be faced with challenges such as staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions."

Read the full letter here.

 

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