New Lee Order Removes Regulatory Barriers To Aid Coronavirus Treatment

  • Friday, April 17, 2020

Governor Bill Lee on Friday signed Executive Order 28 "to remove additional regulatory barriers to facilitate the treatment and containment of COVID-19."

 

The order’s provisions include, among others:

  • Extending until October 1 the July 1 deadline for firefighters to obtain a medical examination making them eligible for certain employment-related cancer benefits;
  • Suspending the collaborating physician requirement for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide increased flexibility regarding where these professionals can provide health care services to facilitate the COVID-19 response;
  • Allowing nursing school graduates waiting to take the national nursing exam to go to work during the emergency under the supervision of a licensed nurse to boost health care resources;
  • Allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to write orders for home health services to address the increased need for such services;
  • Expanding the facilities in which autopsies may be performed to address the potential need for increased autopsies;
  • Allows medical laboratory personnel to work from home in reviewing data and reporting results;
  • Protects HIPAA information sent by the Department of Health to first responders and law enforcement personnel by making disclosure agreements the equivalent of an emergency order
  • Extends the price gouging law for another 15-day period (the maximum allowed under law).

The full text of the order can be found here.

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