Greetings!
 
As CMS is working on the regulation for the vaccine mandate, the agency has for feedback from providers what impact it would have on centers. We are encouraging all nursing home providers (e.g., facility administrators and directors of nursing) to send an email to CMS sharing your facility’s story and perspective.

AHCA/NCAL sent a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, expressing concerns about the impact this mandate may have on staffing. The letter advocated that any mandate needs to apply to all health care settings, not just nursing homes, and offer a routine testing option for individuals who refuse a vaccine. AHCA/NCAL will continue its advocacy efforts, but CMS has asked to hear from you, too.

You can send a message through the AHCA/NCAL Action Center or email CMS directly at [email protected]. Instructions on what to include in your message can be found below. Please submit a message by next Friday, September 3. 
Information to Include in Your Email
 
Include your personal story, concerns, and suggestions for implementing the mandate. You could focus on:
  • your efforts to increase vaccine uptake among staff, challenges you’ve experienced, as well as successes you have had;
  • the impact it will have on your facility’s staffing, noting personal stories such as the potential for losing committed and caring team members;
  • any impact it will have on your ability to continue to accept residents and provide care in your local community; and/or
  • any policies you want to advocate for (e.g., a testing option for the unvaccinated, phase-in of this mandate, extension to other health care settings, etc.).

If you use the Action Center, your message will be populated with a salutation to Administrator Brooks-LaSure and your signature information.

If you email CMS directly, include the following:
  1. Salutation:  Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure
  2. Conclude your message with a note of thanks for considering your input
  3. Your name, facility, city, and state

Thank you for all you do and for weighing in on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Keith Hare
President and CEO
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living