CMS issues rule for health care worker vaccinations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week issued an interim final rule requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings, including hospitals and health systems, that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The rule is effective Nov. 5. Under the regulation, all eligible workers must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022. Also this week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued an emergency temporary standard requiring all employees at private businesses with 100 or more workers to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or get tested for COVID-19 weekly. In a statement, American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack said the vaccine mandate regulations “set clear expectations, and streamline and simplify compliance requirements for health care providers. Importantly, they clarify that hospitals will need to comply with only the CMS rule, eliminating unnecessary complexity in implementing vaccine mandates.” He noted the CMS regulation provides time for health care organizations to come into compliance, offers guidance on medical and religious exemptions and clarifies interactions with state and local laws. The AHA has supported hospitals calling for mandated health care worker vaccinations in order to better protect their patients and communities. (AHA News article, 11/4/21)