US declares public health emergency for CNMI and Guam after Super Typhoon Bavi

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a public health emergency for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam, following the widespread devastation caused by Super Typhoon Bavi. This declaration empowers federal authorities to accelerate and broaden healthcare support and emergency response operations in the affected Pacific territories.

HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. announced the declaration, which complements emergency declarations previously issued by U.S. President Donald Trump for both territories. "The people of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not facing this storm alone," Kennedy stated. "Today, I declared a Public Health Emergency so HHS can move faster, expand critical healthcare flexibilities, and deliver the support communities need."

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The people of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not facing this storm alone. Today, I declared a Public Health Emergency so HHS can move faster, expand critical healthcare flexibilities, and deliver the support communities need.

The declaration enables the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to offer emergency waivers and other flexibilities. This allows healthcare providers to continue serving patients during the critical recovery period. Existing emergency measures from Super Typhoon Sinlaku will remain in effect alongside the new declaration's authorities. The department confirmed that federal medical teams, including a Health and Medical Situational Assessment Team and National Disaster Medical System Task Forces, were pre-positioned in Guam and Saipan before Bavi's arrival to expedite recovery efforts.

Additional medical teams and behavioral health personnel are on standby for deployment if necessary. The HHS emPOWER program is also being utilized to identify Medicare beneficiaries reliant on electricity-dependent medical equipment, prioritizing their assistance during prolonged power outages. HHS continues to coordinate closely with FEMA, the governments of Guam and the CNMI, and other federal agencies as recovery operations progress.

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Preparedness means getting the right people and resources into position before they're needed.