Type of Intervention: Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Health
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; Regulatory change
Level of Jurisdiction: Texas
Lead People/Agency: Governor Greg Abbott
Overview: Governor Greg Abbott temporarily waived certain regulations to expand the health care workforce to assist with Texas’ COVID-19 response. Under this waiver, Physician Assistants (PA), Medical Physicists, Perfusionists, and Respiratory Care candidates for licensure who have completed all other requirements may enter the workforce under an emergency license working under supervision prior to taking the final licensure examination. The Governor’s waiver also provides for emergency licensees to undergo name-based background checks in place of fingerprint checks while fingerprint checks are unavailable due to the crisis.
Full details here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-waives-certain-regulations-to-expand-health-care-workforce-during-covid-19-response
Type of Justification: Perception of an increased threat
Evidence/Justification: This follows a series of prior actions by the Governor to increase the capacity of the medical work force. The Governor said: “The State of Texas is bolstering our response to COVID-19 by expanding our health care workforce and removing barriers that might prevent professionals from serving their fellow Texans.” “Our front line health care professionals play a vital role in our ongoing response to protect public health, and we are committed to supporting them and ensuring they have the ability to perform their important duties.”