The National Governors Association (NGA) is calling for President Donald Trump’s administration to reinstate the public health emergency declaration amid the continued surge in coronavirus cases.
The organization —which consists of the United States’ 55 governors of states and territories— took to Twitter on Wednesday morning with a press release asking White House officials to renew the declaration.
“[We The States] are calling on [White House] to formally renew the Public Health Emergency declaration for [COVID-19], which otherwise would expire July 25,” the tweet read. “States need every tool available to combat this deadly [pandemic].”
#WeTheStates are calling on @WhiteHouse to formally renew the Public Health Emergency declaration for #COVID19, which otherwise would expire July 25. States need every tool available to combat this deadly #pandemic.https://t.co/1D8CgvRRNU
— NGA (@NatlGovsAssoc) July 8, 2020
The press release noted that although the pandemic response has been ongoing, many states are now seeing such alarming surges in infection rates they have been forced to pause, or even “roll back reopenings.”
“Despite months of response to the coronavirus pandemic, many states have hit record numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases, causing many governors to pause or roll back reopenings,” the NGA said in the press release.
The governors have noted that the previous public health declaration and other emergency declarations would allow them to tap into additional funding to combat the virus.
The Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAPs) would also provide additional resources and funding to test people who may be uninsured or categorized as “critical regulatory flexibilities.”
As the NGA requests the renewal of the declaration, Democratic and Republican governors have taken to Twitter to show their support for the renewal.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) tweeted, “This morning, I joined fellow governors on a call to discuss the latest on [COVID-19], including potential action at the federal level and how states can continue to support those harmed economically by this pandemic.”
This morning, I joined fellow governors on a call to discuss the latest on #COVID19, including potential action at the federal level and how states can continue to support those harmed economically by this pandemic. @NatlGovsAssoc pic.twitter.com/tlyOhbPVFK
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 8, 2020
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (D) also expressed concern about the public health emergency declaration which is set to end on July 25.
The nation’s governors are calling upon the Trump Administration to renew the Public Health Emergency for #COVID19, set to expire July 25. This crisis is far from over, and the federal government must ensure that we continue to have all the tools necessary to respond. https://t.co/AsihqEw8bB
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) July 8, 2020
The governors’ press release comes after Michael Caputo, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Hospitals (HHS), statement at the end of June. He confirmed that the declaration would be extended.
Caputo tweeted, “Enough already. @HHSGov expects to renew the Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 before it expires. We have already renewed this PHE once.”
Enough already. @HHSGov expects to renew the Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 before it expires. We have already renewed this PHE once. Learn more here: https://t.co/QsWSaP6X2D
— ARCHIVED: HHS Office of Public Affairs (@SpoxHHS) June 29, 2020
As of Wednesday afternoon, the declaration has not yet been renewed. There are more than 3.1 million coronavirus cases in the United States with more than 40 states facing upticks in infection rates.
