The Biden administration announced Thursday, Nov. 4, that full COVID-19 vaccination is required for any healthcare workers at facilities participating in Medicare or Medicaid by Jan. 4, 2022. The policy takes effect on Friday, Nov. 5.
Facilities are expected to implement policies that ensure all eligible employees have received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine by Dec. 5. Exemptions have also been established that cover “recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs, observances or practices.”
“Ensuring patient safety and protection from COVID-19 has been the focus of our efforts in combatting the pandemic and the constantly evolving challenges we’re seeing,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in a prepared statement. “Today’s action addresses the risk of unvaccinated health care staff to patient safety and provides stability and uniformity across the nation’s health care system to strengthen the health of people and the providers who care for them.”
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) said that its members “appreciate” the administration’s efforts to improve vaccination rates. However, the group is worried about the potential impact this policy may have on staffing.
“While we support the overall intent of this CMS policy, we are concerned that the execution will exacerbate an already dire workforce crisis in long term care,” Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, said in a statement. “A hard deadline with no resources for providers or glide path for unvaccinated workers is likely to push too many out the door and ultimately, threaten residents’ access to long term care.”
Parkinson added that “even a small percentage of staff members leaving their jobs due to this mandate” could have a significant effect on “vulnerable seniors who need around-the-clock care.”
In July 2021, a group of 11 cardiovascular societies shared a joint statement in support of health systems requiring “COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare and long-term care employees.”
“Healthcare institutions have an ethical responsibility to protect the health and safety of their patients and their communities,” the groups wrote. “As our nation and the world continue to suffer from COVID-19 and increasing variants, we strongly believe all healthcare workers should become vaccinated and support requiring COVID vaccination as a condition of health system employment and vendor contracting.”
The statement was signed by the American College of Cardiology, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Association of Black Cardiologists, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Society for Vascular Medicine, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
The full interim final rule is scheduled to be published here by Nov. 5.
A separate FAQ document can be read here.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.