State reminds residents of health-related measures to take during emergencies
Health department, partners coordinate to safeguard continuity of care
Baltimore, MD (January 22, 2016) – With Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s declaration of a state of emergency as Maryland prepares for a historic snowstorm, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reminding residents to take measures to safeguard their health during emergencies.
“The expected arrival of a weather system this weekend that could bring snowfalls measured in feet has our department mobilizing with the rest of the Hogan administration’s other agencies,” said Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Van T. Mitchell. “We will be working with emergency agencies, local health departments, hospitals and private-sector partners to reinforce continuity of care for Marylanders as needs arise.”
Marylanders should check medication inventories and get refills if necessary, before weather affects their mobility or access to a pharmacy. The state health department’s organizational structure provides for a continuum of care to assist with helping residents secure needed prescriptions during a crisis through coordination between the department’s Public Health and Health Care Financing (Medicaid) administrations. The Medicaid program also will work with its managed care organizations (MCOs) to help enrollees meet essential health appointments for such services as dialysis sessions. Medicaid enrollees who encounter problems should call their Healthchoice MCO; if they have a medical emergency, they should call 9-1-1.
Via Preparedness and Response’s website, Marylanders can download cold weather tips at http://goo.gl/qNn8Xx, download a home-care emergency preparedness guide at http://goo.gl/v9hfl8 and get updates at www.facebook.com/MarylandOPR.
The Hogan administration has asked state agencies, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), to make preparations for the incoming storms. Residents can go to MEMA’s website, mema.maryland.gov, for more preparedness information and can follow MEMA’s Twitter feed,@MDMEMA, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MDMEMA, for up-to-date information.
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The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the state government agency that protects Maryland’s public health. We work together to promote and improve the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. Stay connected: www.twitter.com/MarylandDHMH and www.facebook.com/MarylandDHMH.
