U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office for Civil Rights
September 13, 2023
What: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has declared that an emergency exists in the state of Georgia and Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared a public health emergency to address health impacts due to Hurricane Idalia.
Where: Georgia
Actions/Follow-Up:
The Declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE) may be found at: https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PHE/Pages/GA-Hurricane-Idahlia-sept2023.aspx
- Please view the Waiver or Modification of Requirements under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act at: https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/1135-Waivers
- OCR’s bulletin on the Limited Waiver of HIPAA Sanctions and Penalties as a Result of Emergency Conditions in the state of Georgia may be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-hipaa-bulletin-idalia-georgia.pdf
- For information about how the HIPAA Privacy Rule applies in a public health emergency, visit the OCR’S HIPAA Emergency Preparedness, Planning, and Response page or you may use the HIPAA Disclosures for Emergency Preparedness Decision Tool.
- For information and resources for emergency responders/officials to help ensure individuals have equal access to emergency services, including language access and effective communication, please see this checklist for emergency responders: HHS OCR Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Ensuring Language Access and Effective Communication.
- For information about emergency requirements for long-term care facilities, visit the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule page.
DISCLAIMER: These guidance documents are not a final agency action, do not legally bind persons or entities outside the Federal government, and may be rescinded or modified in the Department’s discretion. Noncompliance with any voluntary standards (e.g., recommended practices) contained in these documents will not, in itself, result in any enforcement action.
