Texas Hospitals in the middle of Harvey
August 30th, 2017UPDATE: 5:25 p.m. Sunday 08/27/2017
Emergency Preparedness Critical for Texas Hospitals’ Harvey Response
As the devastating flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Harvey continues along the Texas coast and parts of central Texas, Texas hospitals are drawing on their emergency preparedness training, skills, resources and experiences to provide life-saving care to residents.
Read the press release.
UPDATE: 4:24 p.m. Saturday 08/26/2017
Approval of request to waive certain requirements of Section 1135 of the Social Security Act:
Waiver of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act governing Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP in Texas
UPDATE: 2:44 p.m. Saturday 08/26/2017
Points of contact at the Texas Medical Board and the Texas Board of Nursing who can expedite requests for temporary out-of-state licensure/permit. The Governor’s office has contacted each of these agencies and they are aware of your request.
Medical Board
TMBtransition@tmb.state.tx.us
Board of Nursing
Licensing: Mark Majek 512/305-6801
Backup: Veronica Robertson 512/305-7675
Emergency dispensing:
http://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/files_pdf/2017_harvey_notification.pdf
The Governor’s proclamation:
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/Governor_Abbott_Declares_State_of_Disaster_For_30_Texas_Counties.pdf
UPDATE: 2:20 p.m. Saturday 08/26/2017
Gov. Greg Abbott approves emergency prescription dispensing protocol. More information.
UPDATE: 1:58 p.m. Saturday 08/26/2017
Gov. Greg Abbott approves request from TDSHS to waive hospital licensing rules related to bed capacity limits.
| Agency | Administrative Rule | Purpose/Scope of Suspension | Special Considerations | Statutory Reference | Duration | |
| DSHS | 25 T.A.C. §133.21, 25 TAC §133.26(A), and 25 TAC §133.163(B) | Suspend the hospital licensing requirements related to limits on bed capacity and/or number of beds in patient suites. This enables hospitals to house and treat more patients than allowed by their license. | Suspension is sought to allow hospitals to admit patients that have been evacuated from the affected counties and/or accept new patients in greater numbers than allowed by their license. | HSC Chapter 241 | 30 days (through 9/25/2017) |
UPDATE: 12:45 p.m. Saturday 08/26/2017
Due to Harvey emergency, Public Health Emergency declared in Texas and Section 1135 waivers approved. For more information go to: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/Pages/default.aspx