The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday declared a public health emergency in California to address the health effects of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The declaration will give Medicare and Medicaid providers and suppliers more flexibility to respond to urgent medical needs, officials said.
The announcement was made by Health Department Secretary Xavier Becerra in response to President Biden’s major disaster declaration.
“I am committed to supporting California authorities as they respond to the health impacts of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County,” Becerra said in a statement. “We are working closely with state and local health officials and partners across the federal government and stand ready to provide public health and medical assistance.”
People walk along the beach in Santa Monica, California on January 8, 2025. People wear masks due to dangerous air quality due to wildfires. (Getty Images)
The Office of Strategic Preparedness and Response, an agency under HHS, is on standby to deploy medical equipment, supplies and response personnel upon request, officials said.
ASPR shared technical resources on wildfire response and mobilized volunteers from the Long Beach Medical Reserve to assist local authorities.
“ASPR is closely monitoring Los Angeles County hospitals and shelters affected by wildfires and stands ready to respond to medical needs as part of a coordinated federal, state, and local response,” said ASPR Assistant Secretary. said Dawn O’Connell.
HHS has launched a 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) to provide multilingual crisis counseling for wildfire-related emotional distress. The agency also deployed HHS emPOWER program resources to assist at-risk individuals and issued temporary HIPAA waivers to assist hospitals.
A public health emergency was retroactively issued on Tuesday, allowing these measures under federal law.
Multiple wildfires raging in Los Angeles County have burned more than 35,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, and killed at least 10 people.
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