June 25, 2020
Earlier today, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Executive Order GA-27, which orders hospitals licensed under chapter 241 of the Texas Health and Safety Code in certain Texas counties to postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not medically necessary to diagnose or correct a serious medical condition or preserve the life of a patient who, as determined by the patient’s physician, would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death without timely performance of the surgery or procedure. This prohibition applies to hospitals located in the following counties:
- Bexar County;
- Dallas County;
- Harris County; and
- Travis County.
This prohibition does not prevent the performance of any surgery or procedure that would not deplete hospital capacity needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster if performed in accordance with commonly accepted standards of clinical practice.
Executive Order GA-27 does not apply to ambulatory surgical centers licensed under chapter 243 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Executive Order GA-27 does not supersede Executive Orders GA-10, GA-13, GA-17, GA-19, GA-24, GA-25, or GA-26. In accordance with Executive Order GA-19, all hospitals licensed under chapter 241 of the Texas Health and Safety Code should continue to reserve at least 15% of hospital capacity to treat COVID-19 patients.
