Despite the world still existing in a pandemic declared by the World Health Organization, U.S. President Joe Biden will end the public health emergency in May.
The Biden administration will turn its focus to managing the virus as a seasonal respiratory disease.
The public health emergency allowed hospitals and programs such as Medicaid more flexibility in addressing high patient volumes. However, a federal provision passed in December will allow Medicaid to begin declining patients in April. The Health and Human Services Department will give states two months’ notice before ending the program, making for a seamless transition.
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