October 2021 Group Watch: Gov Extends Emergency Flexibility for Hospitals
Governor Ivey has extended the state of public health emergency, which grants hospitals flexibility by relaxing regulations. On August 13, Governor Ivey announced a state public health emergency as ICU bed capacity in the state hit 95 percent, and COVID-19 hospitalizations approached record levels. The emergency measures made it easier for hospitals to access the resources they need and are supposed to ease pressure on the state’s health systems. It allowed out-of-state health practitioners to operate in state hospitals under temporary permits and for the implementation of hospitals’ alternative standards-of-care plans. It also allowed for expedited capacity expansion of healthcare facilities. This order is now scheduled to expire on October 31.
