Health systems suspend vaccine mandate after CMS suspends ruling

December 7, 2021 – CMS in a Dec. 2 memorandum suspended implementation and enforcement of its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers after judges in Missouri and Louisiana issued preliminary injunctions temporarily halting the start of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

An injunction issued Nov. 30 by a federal judge in Louisiana temporarily blocks CMS from enforcing its vaccination mandate for healthcare workers until legal challenges are resolved.

The injunction effectively expanded a separate order issued Nov. 29 by a federal judge in Missouri that temporarily halted the mandate in 10 states.

In light of the legal challenges, hospitals and health systems have made new decisions, including suspending their requirements.

Since the announcement, several healthcare organizations have announced they are suspending their mandates or extending the deadlines for employees. Here are a few:

  • AdventHealth announced Dec. 2 that it was suspending all vaccination requirements of it’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. The health system is still requiring employees to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status with their medical staff office.
  • HCA announced on Dec. 1 that the organization would “pause the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all Medical City Healthcare colleagues.”
  • Cleveland Clinic announced Dec. 2 that it is pausing the implementation of the health system’s vaccination policy, which required employees and those who provide services with the health system to receive the vaccine or an approved exemption with accommodations. The health system said it will have additional safety requirements for unvaccinated workers, including periodic testing for those providing direct clinical care. 
  • Tenet Healthcare (Dallas, TX) also said it will not enforce the CMS vaccination requirement for individuals working in its facilities. Tenet said workers who are in a state that has previously issued a vaccination mandate must continue to follow the state or local requirement.
  • Hospital Sisters Health System (Springfield, IL) announced Dec. 3 that it is keeping its newly established vaccination policy in place while courts review the federal rule for healthcare workers. The health system is extending the vaccination deadline from Dec. 6 to Jan. 31.
  • Kootenai Health (Coeur d’Alene, ID) is also delaying the effective date of its vaccination requirement from Dec. 6 to Dec. 13.
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