Governor Abbott, HHSC Waive Certain Regulations To Support Care Facilities’ Response To Winter Weather
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have waived certain regulations related to the intake and transfer of Texans in assisted living facilities, nursing facilities, and other long-term care facilities to aid in the response to severe winter weather events.
These waivers provide flexibility for long-term care facilities to exceed the capacity limits established in their licenses, and also provide flexibility for paperwork and processes to be completed prior to admitting, transferring, or discharging long-term care recipients. These waivers also temporarily reduce limitations on the transfer of Medicaid beds between nursing facilities, and allows a home and community-based services four-person residence to temporarily increase capacity.
"These waivers will help long-term care facilities respond to winter weather impacts by temporarily easing regulations related to capacity, transfers, intake, discharges, and related processes and paperwork," said Governor Abbott. "We will continue to provide our communities with the flexibility and support they need to safely and efficiently respond to the impact of this winter weather."