HHS Secretary Invokes Section 1135 Waiver Authority Regarding Potential H1N1 Outbreaks

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has invoked her waiver authority under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act regarding the potential that a provider, health care facility, or geographic area becomes overwhelmed with patients infected with the H1N1 influenza virus. This authority allows certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)…