UPDATED: Healthcare worker vaccine mandate back on for 26 states
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 16, 2021
Long-term care providers in 26 states will still have to comply with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate after a federal appeals court on Wednesday reversed a nationwide block against the rule.
Providers set to receive $9 billion in long-awaited Provider Relief payments, but more help is critical
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 15, 2021
The Department of Health and Human Services is finally releasing a portion of the additional $25.5 billion in COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 payments to healthcare providers, the agency announced...
Latest federal mandate denial sets stage for possible Supreme Court appeal
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 15, 2021
The battle over a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is primed for its Supreme Court debut, now that a federal appeals court has ruled a temporary injunction should remain in place.
Better access to better PPE is critical for long-term care providers
By
Stephen Bird
Dec 14, 2021
Last month the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, a division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), issued a request for information soliciting “public...
Supreme Court denies religious challenge to NY vaccine mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 14, 2021
The U.S. Supreme Court has said that New York can proceed with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for nursing home employees and other healthcare workers even though it does not grant religious exemptions.
Strategic planning for long-term health and safety
By
Kenny Thomas
Dec 13, 2021
A year ago at this time, the world was even more uncertain than it is now. Families were not gathering for the holidays and the decision of whether to see elderly family members became a difficult one...
Omicron variant, lack of booster prioritization could haunt SNFs as occupancy dips
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 10, 2021
Skilled nursing occupancy declined in September, weeks before the omicron variant of COVID-19 arrived and further threatened the industry’s recovery.
Providers embracing reprieve as staff vaccine deadline passes unenforced
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 09, 2021
Skilled nursing providers with large shares of their workforce still unvaccinated nearly a year after COVID-19 vaccines first became available are breathing sighs of relief across the country this week.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will not be enforcing its rule requiring healthcare workers at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19 while preliminary...
Staffing crunch leads to major investments, union wins
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 03, 2021
Long-term care workers in several regions are in line for significant wage increases after employees received substantial pledges from their respective operators.