Aid for those affected by Hurricane Katrina

Many Katrina evacuees are recipients of public assistance, including Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency, and issued a waiver relaxing certain administrative requirements of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, all to make it easier for evacuees to receive the care they need.

Also, Congress has approved $51.8 billion dollars in aid which would allow Katrina evacuees to continue receiving federal benefits that they currently receive, and also to make it easier for new applicants to qualify.