Biden to end COVID-19 emergency

The Biden Administration will end on May 11 the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies declared in 2020. American Hospital Association Executive Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy Stacy Hughes said, “Hospitals and their caregivers continue to navigate a host of weighty challenges including workforce shortages and financial challenges, cost increases for equipment and drugs, disrupted supply chains and sicker patients.” She noted these issues would require “continued attention and investment from the federal government.” Hughes urged Congress to preserve care innovations used during the pandemic, such as expanded use of telehealth and hospital-at-home programs. She also encouraged the government to make permanent many of the COVID-19 public health emergency flexibilities. (AHA News article, 1/31/23)