At the States
The independence of governors is demonstrated by Oregon Governor Kate Brown who said when a state restriction is loosened, it will be studied for two weeks to make sure there is no uptick in coronavirus cases. But she also said she will not adopt a federal proposal to wait two weeks without a COVID-19 death in the state. Instead, she said she will watch for falling numbers of cases and hospitalizations.
The governors of California, Washington and Oregon have agreed to a set of principles as they build out a plan to “restart public life and business.” Governors in the New England region have announced a similar measure.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has threatened to go to court to prevent the Administration from interfering in the state’s power to determine when elective surgeries return.
The Ambulatory Surgical Center Association (ASCA), is tracking official state mandates regarding elective procedures. To date, according to ASCA, 35 states and Washington, DC have released official statements and directives.
Most states say the prohibition against elective surgeries will remain in effect as long as their state is in an official state of emergency. For the first time in American history, every state is in such a state.
However, some states specified when orders to prohibit surgeries expire.
|
When Orders to Prohibit Surgeries Expire | |
|
State | Order Expiration Date |
| Alabama | April 30 |
| Alaska | June 15 |
| Arizona | Reconsider every 2 weeks |
| Colorado | April 26 |
| Louisiana | April 30 |
| Mississippi | April 27 |
| Oklahoma | April 30 |
| South Dakota | May 31 |
| Tennessee | April 30 |
| Utah | April 25 |
| Vermont | May 15 |
| Virginia |
April 24 |
Source: RRY Publications LLC
To check out your state’s elective surgery policy, click here.
