AHCA/NCAL STATEMENT REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS OF LTC STAFF
On July 29, AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Mark Parkinson released a statement regarding COVID-19 vaccinations of long term care staff.
The AHCA Board and NCAL Board have come together to agree upon and issued a public position on this critical issue. Key points included:
AHCA/NCAL strongly urging the vaccination of all health care personnel to protect all residents, staff, and others in long term care communities
AHCA/NCAL support all providers who adopt mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for health care personnel, with state and local regulations and circumstances shaping whether and how these policies are implemented
WHCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUPPORTS AHCA/NCAL POLICY STATEMENT ON VACCINATIONS OF LONG TERM CARE PERSONNEL AND ISSUES STATEMENT
On July 26, 2021, the Washington Health Care Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to support AHCA/NCAL's Policy Statement regarding COVID-19 vaccinations of long term care personnel. The AHCA/NCAL statement can be found here. The WHCA Board of Directors also unanimously voted to adopt a similar statement regarding COVID-19 vaccinations of long term care personnel in Washington. The WHCA statement can be found here.
RCS ISSUES DEAR ADMINISTRATOR LETTER REGARDING EXTENSION OF WAIVER FOR TB TESTING REQUIREMENTS IN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
The Department of Social and Health Services has filed CR-103E (WSR 21-15-113) emergency rules for tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements for long term care workers. The new emergency rules continue the suspension of requirements related to TB testing in WACs. These rules are suspended in response to the significant threat of COVID-19 to our most vulnerable populations, especially for those receiving long term care services in their homes and congregate settings, such as assisted living facilities. This will be the final extension. Providers are encouraged to start TB testing now to assure that staff testing is brought up to date by the end of this emergency rule. This rule filing extends the emergency rule until November 18, 2021. More information can be found in the letter here.
VACCINE SURVEY - RESPONSES NEEDED FROM ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY MEMBERS
On July 29, AHCA/NCAL sent out a short survey to provider members about who is administering the vaccine to residents. AHCA/NCAL is collecting this information to help with their advocacy to HHS, CDC and others about ensuring continued access to the vaccine as they plan for booster shots and work to increase vaccination rates given the spread of the Delta variant.
We would appreciate you taking the time to provide data that can be used to help make sure there is continued access to the vaccine. The deadline for completion of this survey is Wednesday, August 4 by 9 p.m., PST. For any questions around this survey email AHCA/NCAL.
LTC WAIVER 20-44 REGARDING NURSING HOME TRANSFER AND DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS RESCINDED JULY 27, 2021
On July 27, Governor Inslee rescinded three emergency proclamations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as he has deemed them to no longer be necessary. Proclamation 20-44 waived/suspended statutory requirements that allow nursing homes to transfer and discharge residents to other long term care facilities.
It is highly likely that the Governor will need to revisit this, especially as there are still ongoing outbreaks across the state in long term care settings.
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.
