HHS Secretary Azar Declares Public Health Emergency in US Territory Due to Super Typhoon Yutu Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar today declared a public health emergency in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), a U.S. territory, due to damage from Super Typhoon Yutu. The declaration follows President Trump’s emergency declaration for the territory and gives the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  beneficiaries and their healthcare providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs. “We are working closely with territory health authorities, the local hospital and other healthcare facilities to save lives and protect health after this catastrophic storm,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “This declaration will help ensure that our fellow Americans who rely on Medicare and Medicaid have continuous access to the care they need.” Super Typhoon Yutu hit the islands yesterday as a category 5 storm causing widespread damage. Before the storm, CMS also worked with dialysis centers in the CNMI to encourage early dialysis of patients and activated the Kidney Community Emergency Response Program to monitor dialysis access and needs of these facilities after the typhoon.   Read More