An expected federal rule would make emergency preparedness a condition for some healthcare institutions to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, but the opposition says that providers can't afford to be prepared, according to an article on The New York Times website.
Providers would be required to conduct regular disaster drills, have plans for maintaining services during power failures and create systems to track and care for displaced patients.
The proposed has been stalled in the Office of Management and Budget, undergoing a legally required review. A spokeswoman for the office said the 90-day review period had been extended.
Healthcare groups are arguing that certain provisions, including testing backup power generators more frequently for longer periods (they have failed often in emergencies), were too costly and unnecessary.
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