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AHCA, NCAL Release Statement on Vaccine Mandate Injunction	<p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have released the following statement regarding the United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana issuing a nationwide injunction on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. <br></p><p>The statement is attributable to Mark Parkinson, AHCA/NCAL president and chief executive officer. <br></p><p>“We appreciate the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Louisiana issuing this injunction. We have always supported vaccinating as many residents and staff as possible. However, we are deeply concerned that the current mandate issued by CMS will cause nursing homes to lose staff at a time when we are already grappling with a historic labor crisis,” Parkinson said.</p><p>“We continue to urge CMS to allow a regular testing option for unvaccinated staff and, therefore, support any legal remedy or CMS action that would bring about this solution.” <br></p><p>There are currently four active cases regarding the CMS interim final rule staff vaccine mandate: the Louisiana litigation, which was filed by a 14-state group, the Missouri litigation filed by 10 states, and individual cases filed by the states of Florida and Texas. Florida’s request for a preliminary injunction was denied by the District Court last week and is being appealed. A hearing in the Texas case is scheduled for Dec. 2.</p><p>While the interim final rule is, as of Dec. 1, prevented in all states from going into effect, Medicare providers should continue to prepare to have policies and procedures ready so that if the government’s arguments prevail, they can be quickly implemented, AHCA/NCAL said. As employers, providers should consider what policy they want to have in place until a government mandate requires it, which is not certain, the association said.<br></p>	2021-12-01T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/0220_News1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	COVID-19;Policy	Joanne Erickson	Association supports vaccination for nursing homes, but fears critical loss of staff members under current mandate.
Roy Christensen, A Man For The Ages	<p>Roy Christensen, a major innovator and 58-year veteran in the long term care profession, died peacefully on Nov. 11, 2021, at the age of 87.</p><p>Christensen, along with his son, Christopher, founded the health care company Ensign Group Inc. in 1999, and he served as a member and chairman of its Board of Directors until 2019, when he became chairman emeritus and director. Ensign Group Inc. is the parent company of the Ensign group of 245 companies that invest in and provide skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative care services in 12+ states.</p><p>“It’s difficult to sum up the influence Roy had on our industry and the little company we started 22 years ago,” said Christopher Christensen, Ensign’s executive chairman. “He truly was a pioneer and a visionary who has impacted so many that knew him and even more that did not.”</p><p>At the core of Ensign’s vision was achieving a culture of leadership and values in individual facilities that would better serve patients and their families, Christopher said. His father was “especially honored when he talked about all of the thousands of co-founders and heroes that strive every day to carry out this collective mission,” he said. “Words can’t describe how much he was loved and will be missed.”</p><p>Barry Port, Ensign’s chief executive officer (CEO), added, “Roy once told me that his involvement in helping to form this Ensign family was one of the crowning achievements of his entire life. Roy’s place in the culture of Ensign is irreplaceable, but our entire company is joined together in our determination to honor his legacy.”</p><p>Prior to founding Ensign, Christensen was founder and chairman of Beverly Enterprises in 1963, which grew to be the largest nursing home company in the country, with more than 1,000 facilities. He also served as chairman and CEO of GranCare, which later merged into Mariner Post-Acute Network. In 1994 he founded Covenant Care, another successful long term care company.</p><p>In the course of his long career, Christensen also taught at Brigham Young University and served as a member of President Nixon’s Advisory Task Force on Medicare and Medicaid. He spent four years as a member of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare’s Advisory Task Force.</p><p>“Roy Christensen was an absolute giant in the long term care industry,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. “In developing Ensign with Christopher, he proved that a very large company can provide exceptional care to residents and create phenomenal jobs for employees. The lessons of Ensign will survive for many years.”<br></p>	2021-11-22T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/Roy%20Chirstensen%20head%20shot.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Management	Joanne Erickson	An eminent entrepreneur in long term care is remembered for the gift he left behind.
AHCA/NCAL COVID-19 Honors Program Celebrates Caregivers	<p></p><p>Beginning in March 2020, COVID-19 swept through long term care facilities almost overnight. Facility leadership and staff were faced with unprecedented challenges. Not even proven existing emergency preparedness and infection prevention plans could contain this new and unknown virus.</p><p>Despite all of the unimaginable challenges brought on by the pandemic, long term care staff across the country have shown incredible determination and dedication to the residents they care for every day.</p><h2>An Idea is Born</h2><p>On Nov. 12, 2020, after hearing about various Veterans Day celebrations that had taken place the day before, Stacy Cromer, divisional director of operations at Life Care Centers of America, recognized a resemblance between these veterans and long term care workers.</p><p><img class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="Stacy Cromer" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/Stacy%20Cromer-%20CHP.jpg" style="margin:5px 15px;width:135px;height:189px;" />“I felt we were also in the middle of a COVID war. A war just as bad, only we couldn't see it, and our staff really needed to be celebrated as well. Life Care did a great job celebrating folks; however, I wanted it bigger than Life Care, bigger than a state would do," Cromer recalls.</p><p>This prompted her to reach out to Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) with the idea of a national recognition program. Fully supportive of such an initiative, Parkinson and AHCA/NCAL set out to create and execute something meaningful for the long term care sector.</p><p>In March 2021, AHCA/NCAL launched the COVID-19 Honors Program (CHP) for long term care facilities to recognize their heroic staff who demonstrated strength and co urage in the face of COVID-19.<br>Program merchandise included a pin for individuals who work in a long term care facility that experienced a COVID outbreak, a medal for staff who contracted COVID-19 and survived, and a medal to the families of those staff members who passed away from the virus.</p><h2>Providers Embrace Program</h2><p>National HealthCare Corp. (NHC) placed the largest order for all of its 75 skilled nursing centers, 25 assisted living communities, five independent living communities, and 35 home care agencies, totaling nearly 15,000 employees across 10 states.</p><p>Denise Alvis of NHC who placed the order notes, “As a member of AHCA/NCAL, we embraced the opportunity to recognize our health care heroes through the CHP. Each of our locations hosted a unique ceremony to recognize each staff member's commitment to our patients and each other throughout the pandemic. Staff had the opportunity to share personal experiences of hope and loss.</p><p>“Recognizing the teamwork and individual efforts of our NHC staff was a special way to help boost morale as we move forward," she says.</p><h2>'Staff Wear Them Every Day'</h2><p>Christopher House, an independent nonprofit skilled nursing center in Worcester, Mass., opted not to hold a ceremony. Instead, each department manager or supervisor handed a pin to each staff member individually to thank them personally for their service.</p><p>“Staff still wear them every day, and we give them to new employees. It's still a pandemic, and they're still facing the challenges of COVID-19," says Sandra Mahoney, Christopher House administrator. “People were touched and felt appreciated by the gift. They see it as a true recognition."</p><p>Since its unveiling, the program has been met with overwhelming success. AHCA/NCAL has received numerous messages from participating facilities that the program has helped lift spirits and assured staff that they are truly valued.</p><p>The program will conclude at the end of December 2021. However, facilities are encouraged to continue honoring staff and conveying appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices they make every single day.</p><p><em>Natalie Visnick is senior manager of Public Affairs for the American Health Care Association.</em><br></p><p></p>	2021-11-17T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" height="740" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/Medal_survivor.jpg" width="740" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	COVID-19;Caregiving	Natalie Visnick	Across the country, long term care facilities recognize their heroic staff who demonstrate strength and courage in the face of the pandemic.
Unfunded Nursing Home Mandates in 'Build Back Better Act' Will Worsen Historic Staffing Crisis	<p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) said that two provisions in the <a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/Section_by_Section_BBB_RCP117-18_.pdf">Build Back Better Act</a> (HR 5376) will have a devastating impact on nursing homes and could force thousands more facilities to further limit admissions or possibly close their doors.</p><p>The provisions, one that would require nursing homes to have a registered nurse (RN) on-staff 24 hours a day and another that would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on minimum staffing ratios and implement the regulations within one year, are unfunded mandates that, conservatively, would cost the nursing homes industry billions of dollars a year and require hiring more than 150,000 new caregivers.</p><p>“We strongly support having an RN on staff in nursing homes 24 hours a day, as we originally proposed in our <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/Advocacy/Documents/24-Hour-RN.pdf">reform agenda </a>earlier this year. However, <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/Advocacy/Documents/24-Hour-RN.pdf">current data</a> show that nursing homes are facing the worst job loss among all health care providers. We’ve lost 221,000 jobs since the beginning of the pandemic, and recovery is a long way away,” said AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Parkinson.</p><p>“Nursing home providers are doing all they can to attract and retain new workers, but the applicants simply aren’t there. The provisions in this bill do nothing to help us strengthen our workforce and will only force thousands of nursing homes to further limit the number of residents they can serve,” he said.</p><p>AHCA/NCAL estimates that if the HHS study found that nursing homes need to increase clinical and direct care staff by 25 percent, it would require hiring more than 150,000 RNs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nurse assistants (CNAs), costing $10.7 billion per year.</p><p>Current requirements mandate that nursing homes have an RN on staff eight hours a day. Under the proposed mandate in the legislation, AHCA/NCAL estimates it would require hiring 21,000 more nurses, costing $2.5 billion a year.</p><p>Phil Fogg, president and CEO of Marquis Companies, who operates more than 20 long term care facilities in California, Nevada, and Oregon, said if Congress enacts these provisions without the necessary resources and recruitment programs, it could have a devastating impact on nursing homes and the residents they serve across the country.</p><p>“The workforce and economic crisis long term care providers are already experiencing is unprecedented. Lack of qualified workers is forcing providers to limit their admissions and, in some cases, close their doors permanently. Providers simply cannot attract more caregivers to our profession and meet the requirements of these mandates without financial support from Congress,” said Fogg, who is also the chair of the AHCA Board of Governors.</p><p>"We all share a common goal, and that is to strengthen our workforce and provide the best possible care for our residents,” said Len Russ, operator and administrator of Bayberry Care Center in New Rochelle, N.Y. “But these unfunded mandates could further exacerbate the challenges we face and ultimately limit access to care for millions. </p><p>“We are eager to work hand-in-hand with lawmakers to find meaningful solutions that will ensure seniors continue to receive the highest quality care and caregivers have access to good-paying, rewarding jobs."<br></p>	2021-11-17T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/capitol_blue_skies_flag.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Policy;Workforce	Joanne Erickson	Bill could force thousands of struggling nursing homes to further limit access to care to millions of seniors.

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AHCA, NCAL Release Statement on Vaccine Mandate Injunction	<p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have released the following statement regarding the United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana issuing a nationwide injunction on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. <br></p><p>The statement is attributable to Mark Parkinson, AHCA/NCAL president and chief executive officer. <br></p><p>“We appreciate the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Louisiana issuing this injunction. We have always supported vaccinating as many residents and staff as possible. However, we are deeply concerned that the current mandate issued by CMS will cause nursing homes to lose staff at a time when we are already grappling with a historic labor crisis,” Parkinson said.</p><p>“We continue to urge CMS to allow a regular testing option for unvaccinated staff and, therefore, support any legal remedy or CMS action that would bring about this solution.” <br></p><p>There are currently four active cases regarding the CMS interim final rule staff vaccine mandate: the Louisiana litigation, which was filed by a 14-state group, the Missouri litigation filed by 10 states, and individual cases filed by the states of Florida and Texas. Florida’s request for a preliminary injunction was denied by the District Court last week and is being appealed. A hearing in the Texas case is scheduled for Dec. 2.</p><p>While the interim final rule is, as of Dec. 1, prevented in all states from going into effect, Medicare providers should continue to prepare to have policies and procedures ready so that if the government’s arguments prevail, they can be quickly implemented, AHCA/NCAL said. As employers, providers should consider what policy they want to have in place until a government mandate requires it, which is not certain, the association said.<br></p>	2021-12-01T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/0220_News1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	COVID-19;Policy	Association supports vaccination for nursing homes, but fears critical loss of staff members under current mandate.
Roy Christensen, A Man For The Ages	<p>Roy Christensen, a major innovator and 58-year veteran in the long term care profession, died peacefully on Nov. 11, 2021, at the age of 87.</p><p>Christensen, along with his son, Christopher, founded the health care company Ensign Group Inc. in 1999, and he served as a member and chairman of its Board of Directors until 2019, when he became chairman emeritus and director. Ensign Group Inc. is the parent company of the Ensign group of 245 companies that invest in and provide skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative care services in 12+ states.</p><p>“It’s difficult to sum up the influence Roy had on our industry and the little company we started 22 years ago,” said Christopher Christensen, Ensign’s executive chairman. “He truly was a pioneer and a visionary who has impacted so many that knew him and even more that did not.”</p><p>At the core of Ensign’s vision was achieving a culture of leadership and values in individual facilities that would better serve patients and their families, Christopher said. His father was “especially honored when he talked about all of the thousands of co-founders and heroes that strive every day to carry out this collective mission,” he said. “Words can’t describe how much he was loved and will be missed.”</p><p>Barry Port, Ensign’s chief executive officer (CEO), added, “Roy once told me that his involvement in helping to form this Ensign family was one of the crowning achievements of his entire life. Roy’s place in the culture of Ensign is irreplaceable, but our entire company is joined together in our determination to honor his legacy.”</p><p>Prior to founding Ensign, Christensen was founder and chairman of Beverly Enterprises in 1963, which grew to be the largest nursing home company in the country, with more than 1,000 facilities. He also served as chairman and CEO of GranCare, which later merged into Mariner Post-Acute Network. In 1994 he founded Covenant Care, another successful long term care company.</p><p>In the course of his long career, Christensen also taught at Brigham Young University and served as a member of President Nixon’s Advisory Task Force on Medicare and Medicaid. He spent four years as a member of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare’s Advisory Task Force.</p><p>“Roy Christensen was an absolute giant in the long term care industry,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. “In developing Ensign with Christopher, he proved that a very large company can provide exceptional care to residents and create phenomenal jobs for employees. The lessons of Ensign will survive for many years.”<br></p>	2021-11-22T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/Roy%20Chirstensen%20head%20shot.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Management	An eminent entrepreneur in long term care is remembered for the gift he left behind.
AHCA/NCAL COVID-19 Honors Program Celebrates Caregivers	<p></p><p>Beginning in March 2020, COVID-19 swept through long term care facilities almost overnight. Facility leadership and staff were faced with unprecedented challenges. Not even proven existing emergency preparedness and infection prevention plans could contain this new and unknown virus.</p><p>Despite all of the unimaginable challenges brought on by the pandemic, long term care staff across the country have shown incredible determination and dedication to the residents they care for every day.</p><h2>An Idea is Born</h2><p>On Nov. 12, 2020, after hearing about various Veterans Day celebrations that had taken place the day before, Stacy Cromer, divisional director of operations at Life Care Centers of America, recognized a resemblance between these veterans and long term care workers.</p><p><img class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="Stacy Cromer" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/Stacy%20Cromer-%20CHP.jpg" style="margin:5px 15px;width:135px;height:189px;" />“I felt we were also in the middle of a COVID war. A war just as bad, only we couldn't see it, and our staff really needed to be celebrated as well. Life Care did a great job celebrating folks; however, I wanted it bigger than Life Care, bigger than a state would do," Cromer recalls.</p><p>This prompted her to reach out to Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) with the idea of a national recognition program. Fully supportive of such an initiative, Parkinson and AHCA/NCAL set out to create and execute something meaningful for the long term care sector.</p><p>In March 2021, AHCA/NCAL launched the COVID-19 Honors Program (CHP) for long term care facilities to recognize their heroic staff who demonstrated strength and co urage in the face of COVID-19.<br>Program merchandise included a pin for individuals who work in a long term care facility that experienced a COVID outbreak, a medal for staff who contracted COVID-19 and survived, and a medal to the families of those staff members who passed away from the virus.</p><h2>Providers Embrace Program</h2><p>National HealthCare Corp. (NHC) placed the largest order for all of its 75 skilled nursing centers, 25 assisted living communities, five independent living communities, and 35 home care agencies, totaling nearly 15,000 employees across 10 states.</p><p>Denise Alvis of NHC who placed the order notes, “As a member of AHCA/NCAL, we embraced the opportunity to recognize our health care heroes through the CHP. Each of our locations hosted a unique ceremony to recognize each staff member's commitment to our patients and each other throughout the pandemic. Staff had the opportunity to share personal experiences of hope and loss.</p><p>“Recognizing the teamwork and individual efforts of our NHC staff was a special way to help boost morale as we move forward," she says.</p><h2>'Staff Wear Them Every Day'</h2><p>Christopher House, an independent nonprofit skilled nursing center in Worcester, Mass., opted not to hold a ceremony. Instead, each department manager or supervisor handed a pin to each staff member individually to thank them personally for their service.</p><p>“Staff still wear them every day, and we give them to new employees. It's still a pandemic, and they're still facing the challenges of COVID-19," says Sandra Mahoney, Christopher House administrator. “People were touched and felt appreciated by the gift. They see it as a true recognition."</p><p>Since its unveiling, the program has been met with overwhelming success. AHCA/NCAL has received numerous messages from participating facilities that the program has helped lift spirits and assured staff that they are truly valued.</p><p>The program will conclude at the end of December 2021. However, facilities are encouraged to continue honoring staff and conveying appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices they make every single day.</p><p><em>Natalie Visnick is senior manager of Public Affairs for the American Health Care Association.</em><br></p><p></p>	2021-11-17T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" height="740" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/Medal_survivor.jpg" width="740" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	COVID-19;Caregiving	Across the country, long term care facilities recognize their heroic staff who demonstrate strength and courage in the face of the pandemic.
Unfunded Nursing Home Mandates in 'Build Back Better Act' Will Worsen Historic Staffing Crisis	<p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) said that two provisions in the <a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/Section_by_Section_BBB_RCP117-18_.pdf">Build Back Better Act</a> (HR 5376) will have a devastating impact on nursing homes and could force thousands more facilities to further limit admissions or possibly close their doors.</p><p>The provisions, one that would require nursing homes to have a registered nurse (RN) on-staff 24 hours a day and another that would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on minimum staffing ratios and implement the regulations within one year, are unfunded mandates that, conservatively, would cost the nursing homes industry billions of dollars a year and require hiring more than 150,000 new caregivers.</p><p>“We strongly support having an RN on staff in nursing homes 24 hours a day, as we originally proposed in our <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/Advocacy/Documents/24-Hour-RN.pdf">reform agenda </a>earlier this year. However, <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/Advocacy/Documents/24-Hour-RN.pdf">current data</a> show that nursing homes are facing the worst job loss among all health care providers. We’ve lost 221,000 jobs since the beginning of the pandemic, and recovery is a long way away,” said AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Parkinson.</p><p>“Nursing home providers are doing all they can to attract and retain new workers, but the applicants simply aren’t there. The provisions in this bill do nothing to help us strengthen our workforce and will only force thousands of nursing homes to further limit the number of residents they can serve,” he said.</p><p>AHCA/NCAL estimates that if the HHS study found that nursing homes need to increase clinical and direct care staff by 25 percent, it would require hiring more than 150,000 RNs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nurse assistants (CNAs), costing $10.7 billion per year.</p><p>Current requirements mandate that nursing homes have an RN on staff eight hours a day. Under the proposed mandate in the legislation, AHCA/NCAL estimates it would require hiring 21,000 more nurses, costing $2.5 billion a year.</p><p>Phil Fogg, president and CEO of Marquis Companies, who operates more than 20 long term care facilities in California, Nevada, and Oregon, said if Congress enacts these provisions without the necessary resources and recruitment programs, it could have a devastating impact on nursing homes and the residents they serve across the country.</p><p>“The workforce and economic crisis long term care providers are already experiencing is unprecedented. Lack of qualified workers is forcing providers to limit their admissions and, in some cases, close their doors permanently. Providers simply cannot attract more caregivers to our profession and meet the requirements of these mandates without financial support from Congress,” said Fogg, who is also the chair of the AHCA Board of Governors.</p><p>"We all share a common goal, and that is to strengthen our workforce and provide the best possible care for our residents,” said Len Russ, operator and administrator of Bayberry Care Center in New Rochelle, N.Y. “But these unfunded mandates could further exacerbate the challenges we face and ultimately limit access to care for millions. </p><p>“We are eager to work hand-in-hand with lawmakers to find meaningful solutions that will ensure seniors continue to receive the highest quality care and caregivers have access to good-paying, rewarding jobs."<br></p>	2021-11-17T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/capitol_blue_skies_flag.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Policy;Workforce	Bill could force thousands of struggling nursing homes to further limit access to care to millions of seniors.
Nursing Homes Down 221,000 Jobs Since Start of Pandemic	<p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have released a <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/BLS-Report-LTC-Job-Losses.pdf">report</a> showing long term care facilities are suffering from the worst labor crisis and job loss than any other health care sector. Nursing homes alone have seen their industry's employment level drop by 14 percent, or 221,000 jobs, since the beginning of the pandemic and more than any other health sector.<br></p><p>While hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, and other health care facilities have reached or surpassed pre-pandemic staffing levels, nursing homes and assisted living communities are still experiencing substantial job losses, according to the latest October employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</p><p> <img class="ms-rtePosition-4" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/nurses1.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><br></p><p><em class="ms-rteFontSize-2">Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) March 2019 – October 2021</em></p><p>Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of AHCA/NCAL, said that these workforce challenges for nursing homes and assisted living communities could be attributable to multiple factors.</p><p>“As many caregivers are getting burned out by the pandemic, workers are leaving the field for jobs in other health care settings or other industries altogether. Chronic Medicaid underfunding, combined with the billions of dollars providers have spent to fight the pandemic, have left long term care providers struggling to compete for qualified staff," he said.</p><p>“We desperately need the help of policymakers to attract and retain more caregivers so that our nation's most vulnerable have access to the long term care they need."</p>	2021-11-10T05:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/mask_1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Nurse Shortage;Turnover	A report shows long term care facilities are suffering from the worst labor crisis and job loss than any other health care sector.
CMS, OSHA Release New Vaccine Mandate Details	<p>On Nov. 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published an interim final rule (IFR), with comment period, that revises the requirements that most Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Biden Administration is <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-issues-emergency-regulation-requiring-covid-19-vaccination-health-care?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=COVID-19+Update+%23219&cm_pla=All+Subscribers&cm_ite=requiring&cm_lm=1149416120&cm_ainfo=&&&&&">requiring </a>covered health care workers to be vaccinated through this IFR. The requirements will be phased in via two phases. </p><p>• Phase I - Effective Dec. 5, 2021 - Skilled Nursing Facilities, Nursing Facilities, and ICF-IIDs (CMS notes that this does not apply to assisted living providers) must establish a policy ensuring that all eligible staff have received by Dec. 5, 2021, the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to providing any care, treatment, or other services, or have requested or been granted an exemption.</p><p>• Phase II - Effective Jan. 4, 2022 - Requires that primary vaccination series has been completed and that staff are fully vaccinated, except staff who have been granted exemptions, or those whom COVID-19 vaccination must be temporarily delayed as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to clinical precautions and considerations.</p><p>Staff who have completed the primary series for the vaccine by Jan. 4, 2022, are considered to have met the requirements, even if they have not yet completed the 14-day waiting period required for full vaccination.</p><p>CMS makes clear that the IFR issued today does not apply to assisted living. </p><p>The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its vaccine requirement for employers with more than 100 employees (corporation-wide). It appears that this also does not apply to assisted living providers.</p><p>OSHA specifically excludes the health care employers covered by this past summer’s <a href="https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=COVID-19+Update+%23219&cm_pla=All+Subscribers&cm_ite=emergency+temporary+standards&cm_lm=1149416120&cm_ainfo=&&&&&">emergency temporary standards </a>(ETS), which did cover assisted living settings. It is likely that assisted living was unintentionally left out and the language will probably be changed at some point in the future to cover the health care settings not included in the CMS IFR.</p><p>Additionally, the Nov. 4 OSHA ETS do not apply to the SNF, NF, and ICF-IID providers that are covered under the CMS rule above. </p><p>Highlights of the OSHA ETS include:</p><p>• By Jan. 4, 2022, employers must ensure that their employees have completed their primary series of vaccination. <br>o If employees have not completed their primary series at that time, they will need to provide a verified weekly test to their employees. If employee test positive on a COVID-19 test, they must be removed from the workplace until it is safe for them to return. <br>o Employers are not required to cover the cost of this weekly testing. <br>o Those employees who are not vaccinated will also be required to wear a mask while in the workplace. </p><p>• By Dec. 5, 2021, employers must provide employees paid time to get vaccinated and recover from any side effects. </p><p>• Employers are required to obtain proof of vaccination and maintain records of each employee’s vaccination status. </p><p>These CMS and OSHA rules preempt any inconsistent state or local laws, including laws that ban or limit an employer’s authority to require vaccination, masks, or testing.</p><p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living issued <a href="/Breaking-News/Pages/AHCA,-NCAL-Issue-Statements-on-Release-of-CMS,-OSHA-Regulations-on-Vaccination-Rules,-Schedule-Member-Webinar.aspx">statements </a>on the two rules upon their release. The association is offering a <a href="https://media01.commpartners.com/AHCA/ahca_110521/index.html">webinar </a>for member providers on Friday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, to provide an overview of the new policies.<br></p>	2021-11-05T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/0520_news4.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Policy;COVID-19	Interim rule sets timeline, particulars for health care worker vaccination requirements.
AHCA, NCAL Issue Statements on Release of CMS, OSHA Regulations on Vaccination Rules, Schedule Member Webinar	<p>On Nov. 4, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interim final rule requiring direct care workers in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified health care settings to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Staff at these health care facilities must have received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 5, 2021. All eligible staff must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022. </p><p>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-issues-emergency-regulation-requiring-covid-19-vaccination-health-care?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=COVID-19+Update+%23218&cm_pla=All+Subscribers&cm_ite=released&cm_lm=1149416120&cm_ainfo=&&&&&">released </a>the following statement attributed to association President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson on the interim final rule:</p><p>“Once again, we appreciate the Biden Administration’s efforts to ensure that as many workers as possible in all health care settings are vaccinated. Nursing home providers have dedicated themselves to increasing staff vaccination rates, and as a result, three-quarters of employees are fully vaccinated today. We are committed to forging ahead and encouraging all staff members to get these safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.</p><p>“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. 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. </p><p>“Even a small percentage of staff members leaving their jobs due to this mandate would have a disastrous impact on vulnerable seniors who need around-the-clock care. Across the country, access to long term care is becoming strained as providers have no choice but to limit admissions or even close their doors due to workforce shortages. We hope to continue working with the Administration to make the federal vaccine mandate successful while supporting our residents and caregivers.” </p><p>Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) <a href="https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/11042021">released </a>its vaccine requirement for all employers with more than 100 employees.<br>AHCA/NCAL weighed in on the OSHA rule, which may affect certain assisted living companies, with a statement from NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea:</p><p>“We commend the efforts of the Biden Administration to vaccinate millions more of our essential workers against COVID-19. Assisted living communities and other residential care facilities are deeply focused on encouraging our frontline workers to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated to protect their vulnerable residents. </p><p>“We appreciate the policies set forth in the OSHA emergency temporary standard, including the weekly testing option for unvaccinated staff members. Such flexibilities are a vital step to avoid further exacerbating the critical workforce shortage in long term care. NCAL will review the emergency temporary standard in further detail, and we look forward to submitting comments.”</p><p>AHCA/NCAL to Host Member Webinar on CMS and OSHA Vaccine Mandates</p><p>On Friday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, AHCA/NCAL’s Parkinson and Chief Medical Officer David Gifford, MD, will host an <a href="https://media01.commpartners.com/AHCA/ahca_110521/index.html?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=COVID-19+Update+%23218&cm_pla=All+Subscribers&cm_ite=all-member+webinar&cm_lm=1149416120&cm_ainfo=&&&&&">all-member webinar </a>to provide an overview of these vaccine mandate rules, who is impacted by which, and how to get started with implementation of either the CMS or the OSHA vaccine mandate. </p><p>Registration is not required, but attendees are encouraged to <a href="https://media01.commpartners.com/AHCA/ahca_110521/index.html?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=COVID-19+Update+%23218&cm_pla=All+Subscribers&cm_ite=login&cm_lm=1149416120&cm_ainfo=&&&&&">log in </a>15 minutes prior to the start of the webinar.</p>	2021-11-04T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/0220_News1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	COVID-19	Nursing home providers have dedicated themselves to increasing staff vaccination rates, Parkinson says.

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