24 states considering resuming or resuming elective surgeries 

Several states are debating whether to resume elective procedures or have implemented executive orders restarting the procedures. 

Becker's will keep this list continuously updated as the situation changes. 

States resuming elective procedures: 

Alabama: Hospitals and other healthcare organizations can begin performing elective procedures when the state's executive order lifts. 

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is allowing clinicians to perform procedures for conditions that would otherwise endanger quality of life beginning May 4. The order provides a significant amount of guidance around what procedures can be performed, available here.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said elective procedures could resume May 1 if facilities have adequate stockpiles of personal protective equipment and can keep workers and patients safe.  

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said elective surgical procedures could resume in the state April 27 if facilities follow requirements set by the Arkansas Department of Health. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom began allowing hospitals to resume some elective surgeries April 22. 

Healthcare providers in Colorado can resume all voluntary or elective procedures, defined as those that can be delayed for a minimum of three months "without undue risk to the current or future health of the patient" on April 26.

Illinois clinicians can perform elective procedures if they meet crtieria to preserve PPE and screen patients for COVID-19 before the procedure. 

As part of a revised stay-at-home order, Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb loosened restrictions on elective surgeries on April 21, stating that hospitals can conduct medically necessary procedures, including determining cancer diagnoses and cardiac issues, provided sufficient personal protective equipment, staff and other supplies are available for the COVID-19 response.

Iowa facilities can begin performing elective procedures April 27 if they reserved 30 percent of all available intensive care unit beds and 30 percent of all medical/surgical beds for COVID-19 patients.  

Louisiana eased restrictions around elective procedures if delaying the procedure would endanger the patient April 27.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will allow surgeons to begin performing elective procedures May 4, after the initial elective surgery ban lifts. 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is allowing hospitals in some counties in the state to begin elective surgeries again if they do not face significant risk of a near-term COVID-19 surge. 

After consulting with clinicians, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is leaving it to hospitals and outpatient surgery centers to decide whether to begin performing elective procedures again.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an order April 16 allowing clinicians to resume procedures that if not performed could increase morbidity or mortality beginning April 24. Minor procedures, like outpatient surgery or procedures for non-life-threatening illnesses, can be performed May 1. 

Oregon is allowing facilities to resume elective procedures if they meet safety requirements for COVID-19. 

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, MD, gave hospitals in the state permission to resume elective procedures March 27, as long as the resumption wouldn't endanger capacity to handle COVID-19 patients, TribLive reports. 

Healthcare providers in South Dakota will be allowed to begin performing nonessential, elective surgeries on May 31, which they have been asked to postpone to preserve personal protective equipment.

Tennessee will allow clinicians to resume elective procedures when the governor's executive order expires at the end of April.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order April 17 to loosen the state's elective surgery ban. From April 21 through May 8, elective procedures can be performed if they do not endanger hospital capacity or personal protective equipment stockpiles. 

Utah state allowed hospitals to begin performing some elective proceduresin accordance with guidelines established in consultation with the Utah Hospital Association, Utah Medical Association, Utah Dental Association and other medical providers on April 22.

Vermont will allow clinicians to resume elective procedures May 15. 

Washington clinicians can resume elective procedures when the governor's executive order expires May 18. 

West Virginia healthcare clinicians petitioned the state April 28 to receive approval to resume elective surgeries.  

States considering resuming elective procedures: 

Florida's clinicians petitioned Gov. Ron DeSantis to restart elective procedures following a steady downswing in COVID-19 cases, local NBC affiliate WJHG reports.

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