CMS Rescinds COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Requirements

Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs

Dear RHC Community,

Yesterday, CMS released a final rule ending the COVID-19 health care staff vaccination requirements. The relevant section reads as follows:

"Therefore, in this rule, we are withdrawing language on COVID-19 health care staff vaccination requirements issued in the staff vaccination IFC. COVID-19 vaccination policies and procedures
for health care staff will no longer be required under the CoPs, CfCs, and requirements."

While federal rules typically go into effect 60 days after they've been published, CMS states that:

"Since facilities are no longer operating under PHE circumstances, and considering the lower policy priority of enforcement within the remaining time, we will not be enforcing the staff vaccination provisions between now and [INSERT 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]."

With any questions, please email Sarah Hohman at Sarah.Hohman@narhc.org.

Sincerely,
National Association of Rural Health Clinics