South Raleigh News

Governor Roy Cooper has issued an Executive Order to assist the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in addressing child care and health care needs during the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene. The order introduces new flexibilities concerning child care, public health, NC Medicaid, social services, and vocational rehabilitation services to ensure that affected residents have access to necessary health care resources.

“Hurricane Helene has had devastating effects on Western North Carolina, hurting health care access in many communities,” stated Governor Cooper. “This Executive Order will make more health resources available to those affected as we continue to surge resources and aid into impacted areas.”

Executive Order 319 provides flexibility for several programs managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. These measures will help child care facilities and homes either reopen or continue operations throughout the response and recovery period following Hurricane Helene. The order also permits temporary waivers of regulations in public health, child welfare, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and vocational rehabilitation services to maintain service continuity and benefit access. Additionally, it includes extensions for upcoming deadlines related to school-aged children's required immunizations and local health department personnel's mandatory training.

The order grants NCDHHS temporary regulatory flexibility for the NC Medicaid program due to disruptions caused by the storm's impact on healthcare facilities. It instructs NC Medicaid to review its clinical coverage policies to meet individuals' needs post-Hurricane Helene. Furthermore, certain regulations are temporarily waived to allow flexibility in administering the Medicaid program during this State of Emergency.

Moreover, the order enables NCDHHS to adjust or waive enforcement of several human services regulations related to foster care licensure and child welfare practices such as in-person visits, physical settings, and re-licensure requirements. This section also includes temporary waivers of regulatory constraints on Division of Aging programs like Special Assistance, In-Home Aide Services, Home Delivered Meals, and the Congregant Nutrition Program.

The full text of Executive Order 319 is available online.