Baker-Polito
Administration Announces Changes To Expedite Health Care Licensing, Increase
Support For Local Boards Of Health And Small Businesses
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration
announced further actions to support residents, health care providers, and
small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Administration today
announced several emergency orders expediting the onboarding process of more
licensed health care professionals. The Administration is also distributing an
initial $5 million in emergency funding to local boards of health throughout
the Commonwealth, with more funding to be distributed soon. The Administration
also took additional steps to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19
outbreak by formally seeking relief from the Small Business Administration.
Supporting
Expedited Licensing Of Health Care Professionals: The Administration today announced four
new emergency orders to expedite the onboarding of more licensed health care
professionals during the COVID-19 emergency. Changes as a result of these
orders include:
- Licenses
of physicians who have retired within the last year, without complaints at
the time of retirement and in good standing, may be reactivated, and
licenses that would otherwise be up for renewal may be extended for 90
days after the end of the public health emergency.
- Providers
in good standing licensed in other states may obtain emergency licenses to
practice in person or through telemedicine.
- The
ability of residents to provide services, subject to appropriate
supervision, will also be expanded.
- Assures
continuity of care for college and university students, licenses for
nurses, pharmacists and physician assistants that would otherwise be up
for renewal for 90 days after the end of the public health emergency may
be extended, and no nurse, social worker, psychologist or medical doctor
may be prohibited from providing telehealth services across state lines to
college or university students who have returned home.
- Recognizing
the crucial need for sufficient EMS capacity during this public health emergency,
these orders adjust minimum standards for ambulance staffing to ensure
sufficient availability and capacity of EMS services.
- Expands
telehealth by facilitating telehealth services across state lines.
Read the orders
here:
Governor’s Order
#1:
Registration of Health Care Professionals
Governor’s Order
#2: Expanded
Access to Physician Services
Emergency Funds For
Local Boards Of Public Health: The Administration today is distributing an initial $5 million
emergency funding to address immediate needs of the Commonwealth’s community health
boards, with more funding to be distributed soon. This additional funding will
support COVID-19 public health emergency resources in cities and towns, and the
Baker-Polito Administration will execute emergency contracts with cities and
health districts that have sufficient capacity to receive and utilize funding.
Small Business
Administration Declaration: Building on yesterday’s announcement of a $10 million emergency loan
fund for small businesses, Governor Baker today formally
requested that the federal Small Business Administration issue a
declaration of economic injury for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which
would make it possible for impacted business owners to obtain low-interest
loans.
The Administration
will continue to update the public on further developments and individuals are
encouraged to consult both the Department of Public Health and
the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention websites for the most up to date information.
The latest information and
guidance regarding COVID-19 is always available at mass.gov/COVID19.
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