Public Health Emergency Update

Federal officials promised the states at least 60 days advance notice of the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. There was no such notice that the most recent 90-day extension of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency  through Jan 11, 2023 will be the last.  During the COVID-19 PHE, people enrolled in Medicaid (MassHealth) remain protected from loss of coverage even if they are no longer eligible, federal support for COVID-19 vaccines remains in place, and the state continues to receive enhanced federal matching funds on its total Medicaid spending..  

"U.S. COVID public health emergency to stay in place | Reuters" https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-will-renew-covid-19-public-health-emergency-january-2022-11-11/

 

Does this mean the PHE will be extended for another 90 days to mid April 2023? Maybe, but this is what HHS said in the past about the duration of a PHE.

 

  8. How long does a PHE declaration last? 

A PHE declaration lasts until the Secretary declares that the PHE no longer exists or upon the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on the date the Secretary declared a PHE exists, whichever occurs first. The Secretary may extend the PHE declaration for subsequent 90-day periods for as long as the PHE continues to exist, and may terminate the declaration whenever he determines that the PHE has ceased to exist.