HHS Declares Public Health Emergency in California Due to Los Angeles Wildfires

Jan 11, 2025, 03:50 AM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency on Friday for California to address the health impacts of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County. The wildfires have devastated neighborhoods on both the east and west sides of Los Angeles, resulting in at least 10 deaths and the destruction of nearly 10,000 structures. The declaration aims to provide greater flexibility for health care providers and suppliers under Medicare and Medicaid to meet emergency health needs. HHS's Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is prepared to deploy responders, medical equipment, and supplies if requested by the state. President Joe Biden has declared the fires a major disaster, promising full federal reimbursement for recovery efforts over the next six months.