Reed Stephens Comments on the COVID-19 Public Health Declaration Set to Expire on Inauguration Day

Winston & Strawn Partner Reed Stephens recently spoke with Modern Healthcare about how the HHS COVID-19 public health emergency declaration tied to regulatory flexibilities and funding for healthcare providers is set to expire on Inauguration Day.

A drawn-out vote count and the lack of a concession from President Donald Trump has slowed the transition process for President-elect Joe Biden’s team. Stakeholders and public health experts say the emergency declaration will likely still be necessary as case numbers are trending upward and potential vaccine distribution is on the horizon.

The current administration could choose to renew the declaration ahead of time, or the incoming team could make it one of its first healthcare priorities when power officially transitions.

According to Reed, “They won’t want to upset the apple cart by letting the public health emergency lapse when they are trying to make the transition.”

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