Maryland Delegation Urges Trump Administration to Extend COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Allow Critical Federal Aid to Continue Flowing to States

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) wrote to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar requesting the extension of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. 

The COVID-19 public health emergency declaration, set to expire on July 25, helps ensure that states like Maryland continue to receive significant federal resources and support as the pandemic rages across the country.

The lawmakers write: “Our constituents rely on many of the flexibilities enabled by the public health emergency declaration. The increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) is essential to Maryland’s ability to ramp up medical care during the pandemic. In addition, waivers to facilitate the provision of telehealth services have proven critical to providers and patients alike, as they allow for our constituents to be seen by medical providers to address other pressing health issues (including mental health and substance use disorder) without having to expose themselves to potential COVID-19 infection.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact communities across our state, and we cannot afford to slow our efforts to combat it,” continued the lawmakers. “Extending the public health emergency will ensure that Marylanders can access the resources they need to stay safe and healthy during this crisis.”

A copy of the letter can be found below.

Dear Secretary Azar:

We write as Maryland’s congressional delegation to urge you to extend the COVID-19 public health emergency that is currently slated to expire on July 25, 2020. As the United States has hit new record numbers of new coronavirus cases in just the last week, with the largest single day increase in new infections (67,000) reported on Friday, it is clear that COVID-19 still represents a grave threat and continues to merit a public health emergency designation.

Our constituents rely on many of the flexibilities enabled by the public health emergency declaration. The increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) is essential to Maryland’s ability to ramp up medical care during the pandemic. In addition, waivers to facilitate the provision of telehealth services have proven critical to providers and patients alike, as they allow for our constituents to be seen by medical providers to address other pressing health issues (including mental health and substance use disorder) without having to expose themselves to potential COVID-19 infection. And while the 20% Medicare inpatient add-on does not directly impact Maryland hospitals, it helps hospitals in other states to maintain the heightened staffing and supply lines that are necessary to treat COVID-19 patients. 

These flexibilities have spurred innovation that will likely benefit our healthcare system in the long term. In the short term, however, they are absolutely necessary to the provision of medical care in Maryland and across the country. We have already begun hearing from constituents who are concerned that the emergency designation will expire, impeding their ability to access or provide healthcare. Please officially extend the public health emergency declaration as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,