LeadingAge NY Speaks on Emergency Regs, Testing, and Visitation at NYS PHHPC Meeting
Following our submission of written comments on the State's emergency regulations requiring a 60-day stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) for nursing homes and the arrangement of COVID-19 vaccination for nursing home and adult care facility (ACF) staff and residents, LeadingAge NY spoke at the June 3rd meeting of the Public Health and Health Planning Council's (PHHPC) Committee on Codes, Regulations and Legislation. We reiterated our position that the April 2020 timeframe for measuring the adequacy of PPE inventory is inappropriate and asked the State to align its vaccination regulation and other guidance with federal requirements. We highlighted the confusion and inefficiencies created as a result of the inconsistent and duplicative guidance issued by State and federal authorities. In his remarks to the Council, Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker solicited suggestions for incentives to encourage vaccine acceptance. We pointed out that exempting vaccinated nursing home and ACF staff from serial screening tests would provide a strong incentive for staff to get vaccinated. We also called for the State to lift social distancing and masking requirements for vaccinated nursing home residents and their visitors. Our written comments are available here, and a portion of our oral remarks is here. A recording of the entire meeting is here.
Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8838