No clarification on SUD facilities yet in TN but I was promised a more in depth response than the FAQ.
Mary Linden Salter, Executive Director
1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 155
Nashville, TN 37217
615-780-5901, x-118
615-578-8808, mobile
Original Message:
Sent: 11/12/2021 2:44:00 PM
From: Annette Dubas
Subject: RE: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers – 11/4/21
I reached out to our Medicaid Division and they wouldn't give me any clarification and simply sent me the feds FAQ. Anyone else getting clarification on SUD facilities?
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Annette Dubas
Executive Director
Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations
Fullerton NE
308-550-0614
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-05-2021 16:25
From: Kyle Kessler
Subject: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers – 11/4/21
We have been told the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services does not believe it applies to the SUD providers. Our Governor has taken a position opposing the vaccine mandate, so the state agencies are not about to expand any conditions of the mandate. It appears that it will only apply to CMHCs and large SUD providers over 100 employees of which there are only a few.
Kyle
Original Message:
Sent: 11/5/2021 3:59:00 PM
From: Mary-Linden Salter
Subject: RE: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers – 11/4/21
I am concerned it does apply to A&D providers in our TennCare program – because AD& RTC is a covered benefit and the agencies are credentialed and surveyed/inspected by TennCare MCOs. I think this could apply to them. I asked TennCare and they said they'd get back to me when they[d fully assessed the implications of the rule.
ML
Original Message:
Sent: 11/5/2021 11:03:00 AM
From: Shannon Hall
Subject: RE: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers – 11/4/21
That was my take too from a quick look but I wasn't able to participate in the briefing. Is the National Council taking a look or summarizing guidance from this lens?
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Shannon Hall
Executive Director
Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland
Catonsville MD
410-788-1865 ext 2
Original Message:
Sent: 11-05-2021 00:05
From: Tom Chard
Subject: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers – 11/4/21
I looked through but didn't see where either DOL/OSHA or CMS requirements apply to private substance abuse treatment providers with under 100 employees who get reimbursed by Medicaid.
Did any of you see where either would apply?
Thanks - Tom Chard
Alaska Behavioral Health Association
P.O. Box 32917 Juneau, Alaska 99803-32917
Alaska's Behavioral Health Association (ABHA) has over 70 members including profit and non-profit, tribal and non-tribal, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers serving kids and adults across Alaska. We are continually working to improve access to quality, cost-effective treatment services. Learn more about ABHA at www.alaskabha.org.
Original Message:
Sent: 11/4/2021 12:07:00 PM
From: Neal Comstock
Subject: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers – 11/4/21
Dear Association Executives – The Biden Administration has just released two new draft rules, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to protect workers from the coronavirus and require COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers. The rules are a combined 704 pages long and we are working on an analysis that we will get out to you ASAP.
See below and at the links below for the CMS and OSHA press releases and rules. The draft rules are also attached.
This afternoon, at 2:00 pm ET, CMS will hold a virtual briefing with John Blum, CMS's Principal Deputy Administrator, and Dr. Lee Fleisher, Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, on the CMS rule.
Please share this information with your members.
CMS press release – "Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers' - https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-issues-emergency-regulation-requiring-covid-19-vaccination-health-care
CMS rule – "Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination" - https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2021-23831/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-omnibus-covid-19-health-care-staff-vaccination
OSHA press release – "US Department of Labor issues emergency temporary standard to protect workers from coronavirus" https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/11042021
OHSA rule – "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" - https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2021-23643/covid-19-vaccination-and-testing-emergency-temporary-standard
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Dear all –
The Biden-Harris Administration is requiring COVID-19 vaccination of eligible staff at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The emergency regulation issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today protects those fighting this virus on the front lines while also delivering assurances to individuals and their families that they will be protected when seeking care.
"Ensuring patient safety and protection from COVID-19 has been the focus of our efforts in combatting the pandemic and the constantly evolving challenges we're seeing," said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. "Today's action addresses the risk of unvaccinated health care staff to patient safety and provides stability and uniformity across the nation's health care system to strengthen the health of people and the providers who care for them."
The prevalence of COVID-19, in particular the Delta variant, within health care settings increases the risk of unvaccinated staff contracting the virus and transmitting the virus to patients. When health care staff cannot work because of illness or exposure to COVID-19, the strain on the health care system becomes more severe and further limits patient access to safe and essential care. These requirements will apply to approximately 76,000 providers and cover over 17 million health care workers across the country. The regulation will create a consistent standard within Medicare and Medicaid while giving patients assurance of the vaccination status of those delivering care.
For more information, please see the materials below:
Marvin Figueroa, Director
Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, D.C.
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Stephanie Katz
Assistant Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Neal Comstock
Director of Membership
National Council
NealC@TheNationalCouncil.org
202 748-8793
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