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Case 1:20-cv-00323-LY Document 100-3 Filed 04/22/20 Page 1 of 4
P.O. Box 13247 • Austin, Texas 78711-3247 • 512-424-6500 • hhs.texas.gov

Health Facility Licensing Guidance Letter

Number: GL 20-1007

Title: Executive Order GA-15 Licensed Health Care Facilities Certification

Provider Types: Licensed Health Care Facilities

Date Issued: April 17, 2020

1.0 Subject and Purpose

Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-09 on March 22, 2020, 

concerning the postponement of surgeries and procedures in certain 

circumstances, in response to the state of disaster declared in Texas and the 

United States of America relating to COVID-19. That order remains in effect 

and in full force until 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2020.

Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-15 on April 17, 2020, also 

concerning the postponement of surgeries and procedures in certain 

circumstances. This letter describes the requirements set forth in Executive 

Order GA-15, and the responsibilities of licensed health care facilities. 

2.0 Executive Order GA-15 Details

Beginning at 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. 

on May 8, 2020, all licensed health care facilities are ordered to postpone all 

surgeries and procedures that are not medically necessary to diagnose or 

correct a serious medical condition of, or to preserve the life of, a patient 

who without timely performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk 

for serious adverse medical consequences or death, as determined by the 

patient’s physician.

By its terms, this prohibition in GA-15 does not apply to any surgery or 

procedure performed in a licensed health care facility that has certified in 

writing to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission both: 

Texas Health and Human Services Commission 

Phil Wilson 

Executive Commissioner 

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GL 20-1007 April 17, 2020 Page 2 of 3 

(1) that it will reserve at least 25% of its hospital capacity for 

treatment of COVID-19 patients, accounting for the range of 

clinical severity of COVID-19 patients; and 

(2) that it will not request any personal protective equipment from 

any public source, whether federal, state, or local, for the 

duration of the COVID-19 disaster.

2.1 Health Care Facility Certification Submission Requirements:

A licensed health care facility’s certification, under GA-15, must be 

submitted to the Health and Human Services Commission in the form of a 

letter. The certification letter must:

• Be on the licensed health care facility’s letterhead; 

• Be addressed to:

Health Facility Licensing Certification Coordinator

Health and Human Services Commission

Health Facility Licensing – MC 1868

P.O. Box 149347

Austin, TX 78714-9347

• Reference the facility’s name, license type, and license number in the 

subject line;

• Identify by name the facility’s administrator, director, or other 

individual with authority to bind the facility;

• Include the following language:

o I certify, on behalf of [name of licensed health care facility], that 

this facility will reserve at least 25% of its hospital capacity for 

treatment of COVID-19 patients, accounting for the range of 

clinical severity of COVID-19 patients; and

I certify, on behalf of [name of licensed health care facility], that 

this facility will not request any personal protective equipment 

from any public source, whether federal, state, or local, for the 

duration of the COVID-19 disaster. 

• Not limit or qualify the required certification language in any way;

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• Be signed by the facility’s administrator, director, or other individual 

with authority to bind the facility, as identified above; and

• Be submitted to the Health and Human Services Commission via e-mail 

to HFLCertificationCoordinator@hhsc.state.tx.us. 

A licensed health care facility that submits a certification with the required 

elements, as described above, will receive an acknowledgement via e-mail 

from the Health and Human Services Commission

3.0 Background/History

Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, Emergency Management, 

authorizes the Governor to declare a state of disaster if a disaster has 

occurred or the threat or occurrence of a disaster is imminent. See Tex. 

Gov’t Code §418.014. Chapter 418 also authorizes the Governor to issue 

executive orders and establishes that those orders have the force and effect 

of law. See Tex. Gov’t Code §418.012.

4.0 Resources

Executive Order GA-15: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA15 hospital capacity COVID-19 TRANS 04-17-2020.pdf

5.0 Contact Information

If you have any questions about this letter, please contact the Policy, Rules 

and Training Unit by email at HCQ PRT@hhsc.state.tx.us. 

If you have any questions about the certification process, please contact 

HFLCertificationCoordinator@hhsc.state.tx.us. 

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