New York Executive Order Extends Healthcare Staffing Disaster Emergency

NY Governor Executive Orders

Published February 12th, 2026

Detected February 14th, 2026

Summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has extended the declaration of a disaster emergency due to healthcare staffing shortages through February 17, 2026. This extension continues the terms and suspensions of Executive Order 56, originally issued to address a nursing strike impacting hospital care.

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What changed

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has issued Executive Order 56.8, extending the declaration of a disaster emergency related to healthcare staffing shortages in Bronx, New York, and contiguous counties. This order, effective February 12, 2026, continues the provisions and suspensions outlined in Executive Order 56 until February 17, 2026. The emergency was initially declared on January 9, 2026, in response to a nursing strike that caused severe staffing shortages in several state hospitals, threatening public health and safety.

This extension maintains the temporary measures aimed at ensuring the continuity of care and patient safety. While the order does not explicitly state new compliance requirements for healthcare providers beyond adhering to the existing emergency provisions, it underscores the ongoing critical nature of staffing issues. Regulated entities, particularly healthcare providers in the affected counties, should remain aware of the continued emergency status and any specific directives or waivers that may be in effect until the expiration date.

What to do next

Review Executive Order 56 and its continued terms and suspensions.
Ensure continued compliance with any directives or waivers related to healthcare staffing shortages.
Monitor for any further extensions or changes to the disaster emergency declaration.

Source document (simplified)

Executive Order February 12, 2026

No. 56.8: Extending the Declaration of a Disaster Emergency in the Counties of Bronx, New York, and Contiguous Counties Due to Healthcare Staffing Shortages in the State of New York

No. 56.8: Extending the Declaration of a Disaster Emergency in the Counties of Bronx, New York, and Contiguous Counties Due to Healthcare Staffing Shortages in the State of New York
Executive Order 56.8 No. 56.8

E X E C U T I V E O R D E R

EXTENDING THE DECLARATION OF A DISASTER EMERGENCY IN THE COUNTIES OF BRONX, NEW YORK, AND CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES DUE TO HEALTHCARE STAFFING SHORTAGES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK

WHEREAS, a strike of nursing personnel in Bronx and New York counties has caused several hospitals in the State to experience severe staffing shortages, affecting the availability and delivery of care, threatening public health and safety, and the ability to provide critical care, including to vulnerable populations, at a time when respiratory viruses remain widespread;

WHEREAS, to protect public health and safety, on January 9, 2026, I issued Executive Order 56 declaring a State Disaster Emergency in the counties of Bronx, Nassau, New York, and contiguous counties;

WHEREAS, the terms, conditions, and suspensions of Executive Order 56 are a temporary measure to ensure continuity of care and patient safety, and are not intended to afford leverage to any party in collective bargaining; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Section 28 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby find a continued need for a disaster emergency order in Bronx and New York Counties and do hereby extend the State Disaster Emergency as set forth in Executive Order Number 56 and continue the terms, conditions, and suspensions contained in Executive Order Number 56 as applied to Bronx, New York, and contiguous counties through and including February 17, 2026.

G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the

State in the City of Albany this 12th
day of February in the year two
thousand twenty-six.

BY THE GOVERNOR

Secretary to the Governor

Translations

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