Several cities, states, counties and Puerto Rico have made updates to their COVID-19-related laws, regulations and orders. See below for the latest news.
California
Healthcare
COVID-19 State Updates
Fifth Circuit Grants, In Part, Motion to Stay Nationwide Preliminary Injunction on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccine Rule
By Sarah R. Skubas & Jessica Draper on
On December 15, 2021, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted, in part, the federal administration’s motion to stay the nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) from enforcing its COVID-19 vaccine mandate nationwide as to non-plaintiff states. Louisiana et al v. Becerra et al., No. 3:12-cv-03970 (W.D. La. December…
A Busy Day in Court For COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Healthcare
By Sarah R. Skubas on
Posted in Healthcare, New York
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to enjoin New York State from enforcing its regulation requiring COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers despite the fact that the regulation did not allow for religious accommodations. The Court did not issue any written opinion or rationale but was accompanied by a 14-page dissent by Justice Gorsuch.
Meanwhile,…
Nationwide Preliminary Injunction on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Enforcing COVID-19 Vaccine Rule
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana has granted a preliminary injunction enjoining the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) from enforcing its COVID-19 vaccine mandate nationwide. Read more.
What Healthcare Employers Need to Know About the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Vaccine Mandate
Posted in Healthcare
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) establishing the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff employed at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers. Read more.
Oregon Issues New Rule Requiring Vaccinations of Healthcare Workers by Mid-October
By Tara K. Burke on
Posted in Healthcare, Oregon
Following on the heels of an executive order by Oregon’s governor requiring full vaccination for teachers, staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools, the Oregon Health Authority issued a new rule requiring that healthcare providers and healthcare staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of October 18, 2021. Read more from our Oregon colleagues here.
New Jersey: Vaccines Or Testing for Workers in Healthcare and High-Risk Congregate Settings
New Jersey is requiring employers in covered healthcare and high-risk congregate settings (“covered settings”) to establish a policy that: (1) mandates vaccinations or weekly testing for workers; (2) creates a system to track the results of the applicable testing requirements; and (3) creates a system to communicate the results of such testing to local public…
California Mandates Vaccination for Workers in the Health Care Industry by September 30th
By David G. Hoiles, Jr. & Abbey M. Jahnke on
With the significant increase in COVID-19 cases, the state of California has started implementing new measures to try to combat the rise. On July 26, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order requiring covered healthcare facilities to verify the vaccination status of all workers and put mandatory testing requirements in place…
California Department of Public Health Issues Mandate to Encourage Health Care Workers to Get Vaccinated
Due to a rise in transmission of the Delta variant causing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a new order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals, high-risk congregate settings, and other health care settings.
The order takes effect on August 9, 2021,…
National Hospital Associations Release Statements Endorsing Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies for Healthcare Workers
The nation’s largest healthcare groups and associations have released separate statements endorsing the position that all healthcare workers should be fully vaccinated and supporting the implementation of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in hospitals and health systems nationwide.
On July 21, 2021, the American Hospital Association (“AHA”), an organization representing close to 5,000 members, released a…