COVID-19: HHS should clarify agency roles for emergency return of U.S. citizens during a pandemic : report to Congressional addressees

COVID-19: HHS should clarify agency roles for emergency return of U.S. citizens during a pandemic : report to Congressional addressees

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Contributor(s):
United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
United States. Congress, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, April 2021
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Disaster Planning -- legislation & jurisprudence
Government Regulation
Travel-Related Illness
United States
United States. Department of Health and Human Services
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Why GAO did this study. HHS provides temporary assistance to U.S. citizens repatriated by the Department of State (State) from a foreign country because of destitution, illness, threat of war, or similar crises through the U.S. Repatriation Program. In January and February 2020, HHS assisted State in repatriating individuals from Wuhan, China, and the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan, to the U.S. HHS quarantined repatriates at five Department of Defense (DOD) installations to ensure they did not infect others with COVID-19. GAO was asked to examine HHS’s COVID-19 repatriation efforts to ensure the health and safety of those involved in the response. This report examines HHS’s coordination and management of its COVID-19 repatriation response. GAO reviewed relevant documentation from HHS, State, and DOD related to repatriation planning, including documentation on pandemic planning exercises. GAO also interviewed officials from HHS, State, and DOD. What GAO recommends. GAO is making two recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services: (1) revise or develop new emergency repatriation response plans to clarify agency roles and responsibilities during a pandemic; and (2) plan and conduct repatriation exercises with relevant stakeholders— including federal partners and state, local, and territorial governments—to test repatriation plans in response to a pandemic. HHS agreed with our recommendations.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (ii, 31 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
9918317786306676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918317786306676