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 announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has adopted an emergency rule to allow end stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities to treat patients more effectively during the COVID-19 response. This emergency rule provides increased flexibility to providers to serve dialysis patients. This will be helpful in providing appropriate social distancing and/or provide locations for patients that have tested positive for COVID-19 at a location separate from other dialysis patients to reduce the chance of spreading the virus.
Full details here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-hhsc-announce-emergency-rule-to-allow-off-site-outpatient-esrd-facilities
Type of Justification: Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee
Evidence/Justification: This emergency rule will bolster our response to COVID-19 by reducing potential spread among patients at ESRD facilities, said Governor Abbott. “As we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Texas, we are committed to maximizing flexibility and efficiency available to our medical providers to protect public health and keep Texans safe.”