Secretary Price Travels to Texas to Observe Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D., traveled with the President today to Texas to see the damage from Hurricane Harvey first-hand; to receive briefings on rescue efforts; and to meet with his counterpart from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Executive Commissioner Charles Smith. Across the entire department, HHS continues to provide support to those affected in Texas and Louisiana by Hurricane Harvey. The latest activities HHS has been conducting to help with the current disaster is below:

• HHS has provided a 250-bed Federal Medical Station in Houston, Texas.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a media advisory explaining how families can keep themselves safe after a hurricane has made landfall.
• The Administration for Children and Families is working to identify the number of Head Start centers affected by Hurricane Harvey.
• As previously reported, HHS is helping evacuate hospital patients and is assisting those who rely upon electricity-dependent medical equipment.

To read previous updates regarding HHS activities related to Hurricane Harvey, please visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/news.

To learn more about HHS resources related to Hurricane Harvey, please visit https://www.hhs.gov/hurricane-harvey.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has activated its Disaster Distress Helpline, a toll-free call center, that is available at 1-800-985-5990 to aid people in coping with the behavioral health effects of the storm and help people in impacted areas connect with local behavioral health professionals.

In addition to full-scale coordination across the federal cabinet agencies, HHS remains in regular contact with Texas and Louisiana health officials to maintain awareness of the local situation and stands ready to augment support to the states as the situation unfolds. 

Critical updates will also be available at:

Secretary Tom Price, M.D. - @SecPriceMD

HHS - @HHSgov

ASPR - @PHEgov

CDC  - @CDCgov