HHS Secretary Kennedy Declares Public Health Emergency for Guam, CNMI following Super Typhoon Bavi

ASPR pre-positioned federal health and medical assets to support response

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 9, 2026) — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for the U.S. territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) following Typhoon Bavi. The declaration follows President Donald Trump’s Emergency Declarations for Guam and CNMI and supports the federal government’s coordinated public health and medical response.

“The people of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not facing this storm alone,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today, I declared a Public Health Emergency so HHS can move faster, expand critical healthcare flexibilities, and deliver the support communities need. We have already positioned federal health and medical teams to respond, and we will continue working alongside territorial leaders to protect lives, restore healthcare services, and help these communities recover as quickly and safely as possible.”

The Public Health Emergency declaration enables the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide emergency flexibilities that help healthcare providers and suppliers continue serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries during the response. Existing CMS emergency waivers and Section 1135 flexibilities already in effect for Guam and CNMI following Typhoon Sinlaku remain available while CMS implements additional authorities under the new declaration.

Ahead of Typhoon Bavi’s passage, HHS’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) pre-deployed a Health and Medical Situational Assessment Team (HMSAT), including ASPR regional emergency response personnel, to Guam and Saipan in the Commonwealth. Two seven-person National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Health and Medical Task Forces and an Incident Management Team (IMT) also deployed in advance to support response operations following the storm. This forward posture enables ASPR to rapidly support federal, territorial, and local partners as damage assessments are completed and health care needs are identified.

“Preparedness means getting the right people and resources into position before they’re needed,” said John Knox, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. “By pre-positioning our HMSAT, IMT, and NDMS responders, ASPR is ready to move quickly when requested to help our territorial partners restore access to healthcare and support emerging medical needs.”

ASPR continues to coordinate closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the governments of Guam and CNMI, and other federal partners to support a unified response. Additional NDMS teams remain on standby to deploy if needed. Disaster behavioral health personnel are also prepared to deploy as response and recovery operations continue.

The HHS emPOWER Program, a partnership between ASPR and CMS, has made its disaster response datasets available to support operations in Guam and CNMI. The datasets help emergency managers and public health officials identify Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and certain healthcare services, including oxygen equipment, dialysis, ventilators, and home health services. During disasters, these data support life-safety operations by helping responders prioritize outreach to individuals who may be at greater risk because of prolonged power outages or disruptions in access to care. More information is available at https://empowerprogram.hhs.gov. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has many health and safety materials available on its website, including storm safety, food safety, and power outage safety information. CDC has shared vital health and safety messaging and communication materials with public health officials in affected territories. CDC stands by to support any public health activities as needed.

People experiencing emotional distress related to Typhoon Bavi can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 1-800-985-5990 or texting TalkWithUs to 66746. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing confidential support in more than 100 languages. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may access the service through videophone. 

For the latest information on HHS response activities, visit www.aspr.gov. 

###