New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli today announced “binding guidance” that will allow health care facilities and practitioners to resume elective surgeries beginning Monday, May 26. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement:
“Allowing elective surgeries to resume will improve the quality of life for thousands of New Jersey residents needing procedures such as joint replacement or cardiac care.
“The announcement is also welcome news for New Jersey’s health care facilities which are struggling financially due to the lack of elective surgeries and the need to unexpectedly spend funds on PPE.
“The guidance set forth today by Commissioner Persichilli will help ensure surgeries are prioritized and takes into account the critical need to protect every patient from contracting the coronavirus.
“Today’s announcement will put patients in need of elective surgeries on the road to recovery and allow health care facilities to recoup financial losses incurred during this pandemic.”