More than 17 million workers to be affected.
Staff at healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs have until January 4, 2022, to comply with a recently issued COVID-19 vaccination mandate. The new rule from President Biden’s administration in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) applies “to more than 17 million workers at approximately 76,000 health care facilities, including hospitals and long-term care facilities,” the White House announcement said.
A broader mandate that would require employees at companies with 100 or more workers to be vaccinated is being challenged by at least 27 states in federal lawsuits. The Medicare/Medicaid rule has so far gone largely untouched, perhaps because it has received little media coverage. The focus has largely been on facilities that receive considerable federal funding, separating it from the more generalized mandate.
CMS is tasked with ensuring compliance with these requirements through established state surveys and enforcement processes. Failure to comply could result in monetary penalties, denial of payments, and even termination from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For officials in the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services as they implement the president’s mandate.
- For federal judges hearing challenges to the federal vaccination mandate.
Sources: Washington Examiner, JDSupra
