Federal Officials Declare Public Health Emergency, Allowing For More Flexible Medicaid And Medicare Services For Fire Survivors
Regional emergency coordinators with the Health and Human Services Department have been deployed to coordinate with state, local and emergency response personnel in California, officials said. Meanwhile, some residents say they failed to receive potentially life-saving emergency alerts about the fires.
San Francisco Chronicle:
Camp Fire, Woolsey Fire Prompt Public Health Emergency Declaration For California
The Camp and Woolsey fires raging in Northern and Southern California have prompted federal officials to declare a public health emergency in the state. Alex Azar, the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, announced the declaration Tuesday night, allowing Medicare and Medi-Cal health care service providers “greater flexibility” in assisting survivors of the wildfires. “This declaration will help ensure that Americans who are threatened by these dangerous wildfires and who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program have continuous access to the care they need,” Azar said in a statement. (Hernandez, 11/13)
Ventura County Star:
Public Health Emergency Declared Due To Wildfires
Ventura County Public Health Department officials have declared a local public health emergency in response to the Woolsey and Hill fires affecting the region. The declaration allows county officials to coordinate with federal state, and local agencies in seeking assistance removing fire debris and other hazardous substances. Due to the combustion of building materials and household hazardous substances, residents risk exposure to toxic substances when going through debris without professional help. (Childs, 11/13)
San Jose Mercury News:
Camp Fire: Emergency Alert System Failed, People Were Trapped
Life-saving evacuation alerts failed to reach many residents during the catastrophic Camp Fire early Thursday morning, causing terrifying and crowded last-minute escapes, even death. Angry residents say they received no official warning to flee and instead learned late of the danger when they smelled smoke or saw flames, or from family or neighbors — then faced gridlocked traffic, surrounded by flames, along the town’s few exit routes. (Krieger, 11/13)