Senate Congressional Notification LA

The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
S-221 United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.  20510

Re: Declaration of a Public Health Emergency and Waiver and/or Modification of Certain Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health Insurance Program Requirements

Dear Majority Leader Reid:

I am writing to notify you that, as a consequence of Hurricane Ike and its impact on the State of Louisiana, and pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 247d, I determined that a public health emergency exists and has existed since September 7, 2008, in the States of Louisiana.  In addition, as required under Section 1135(d) of the Social Security Act (the Act) (42 U.S.C. § 1320b-5), I hereby notify you that, on September 15, 2008, I intend to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid, or State Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements as indicated on the attached document.  I certify that these waivers and/or modifications are necessary to carry out the purposes of Section 1135 of the Act.

Sincerely,

/s/
Michael O. Leavitt
Secretary