2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To End The COVID-19 National Emergency That
Was Declared On March 13, 2020. In February 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for a resolution that would
"terminate the COVID-19 national emergency declared by the president on
March 13, 2020." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
resolution by a vote of 229 to 197, thus the bill was sent to the
Senate. The Senate passed the resolution, sent it to President Biden,
and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 104,
2/1/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/1/23;
Congressional Actions, H.J.Res.
7]
The COVID-19 National Emergency Was Due To Expire In May 2023.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Senate voted Wednesday to
terminate a COVID-19 pandemic national emergency order implemented
by former President Donald Trump in 2020 that was due to be
terminated in May anyway. The 68-23 vote on the measure came after
the House voted 229-197 in February, with 11 Democrats joining 218
Republicans in support." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/29/23]
President Biden Signed The Resolution Into Law Despite Opposing
The Resolution And Pledged To Continue To Work With Agencies To
Phase Out The National Emergency. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "President Joe Biden will sign the resolution, even as
the White House continued to say he is opposed. 'The President
strongly opposes H J Res 7, and the administration is planning to
wind down the COVID national emergency and public health emergency
on May 11,' a White House official said Wednesday. 'If this bill
comes to his desk, however, he will sign it, and the administration
will continue working with agencies to wind down the national
emergency with as much notice as possible to Americans who could
potentially be impacted.'" [Congressional Quarterly,
3/29/23]
Ending The COVID-19 National Emergency Could Impact Waivers Meant
For Health Care Providers To Serve Patients During The Pandemic,
Like Off-Campus Screening, Medicare Advantage Plan Coverage For
Out-Of-Network Services, And Waiving Physical Or Occupational
Therapy At Hospices. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Examples of the impact of ending the national emergency include the
termination of some waivers meant to help health care providers
serve patients during the pandemic. One such waiver from the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services allowing hospitals to screen
patients for COVID-19 off-campus would expire, while another
requiring private Medicare Advantage plans to cover services at
out-of-network facilities would also expire. Another waiver allowed
hospices to not provide physical or occupational therapy during the
national emergency." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/29/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To End The COVID-19 National
Emergency Declared On March 13, 2020. In January 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule
(H Res 75) that would provide for floor consideration of the resolution
relating to a national emergency declared by the president on March 13,
2020 (H J Res 7)." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House
adopted the rule by a vote of 216 to 208. [House Vote 96,
1/31/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/31/23;
Congressional Actions, H.J.Res.
7;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
75]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To End The COVID-19 National
Emergency Declared On March 13, 2020. In January 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the
previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on
the rule (H Res 75) that would provide for floor consideration of the
resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the president on
March 13, 2020 (H J Res 7)." The vote was on a motion to order the
previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 218 to
209. [House Vote 95,
1/31/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/31/23;
Congressional Actions, H.J.Res.
7;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
75]